Manchester United should head into their Europa League second leg against Barcelona not only confident in their own abilities, but confident they can win it too.
Erik ten Hag's side more than played their part in last week's frantic first encounter, and can showcase just how far they have really come when they host the La Liga leaders on Thursday night.
It will be far from easy for United, though the very early team news certainly gives them confidence, with Barcelona's midfield options limited while their own have been boosted.
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Xavi remains a standard-bearer when it comes to the modern midfielder, and he will know just how difficult it will be to get a result at Old Trafford without the injured Pedri and the suspended Gavi.
The Barcelona manager will hope to have Sergio Busquests back for the match after he returned from injury to the bench against Cadiz at the weekend, with the midfield battle likely to be pivotal on Thursday night.
In contrast, United have received a midfield boost ahead of the game, with Marcel Sabitzer returning from suspension for the second leg, while Lisandro Martinez is also available again and should help his side's defensive stability.
Casemiro will come back in having served the final game of his three-match domestic suspension over the weekend, and this could be the first time he plays alongside January signing Sabitzer.
It might well signal the start of a new midfield partnership for United in the weeks ahead, with the attack-minded Sabitzer yet to play in his favoured role since joining the club.
The Austrian has had to refine his game without a recognised defensive midfielder in the side, but could now be given the chance to showcase what he is really about alongside the safety net of Casemiro.
It is not such a straightforward decision, though, and Ten Hag might well prefer to adopt a slightly more reserved approach with the inclusion of the industrious Fred.
The Brazilian has so often saved his best performances for the biggest games of the season, playing pivotal roles in home wins over Tottenham and City, while he also grew into the game last week after a difficult start.
He might not be the most technically gifted player, but few would begrudge Fred a start on Thursday night, given that he would bring energy and enthusiasm into the United midfield on a night when they will look to feed off the Old Trafford crowd.
Then there are the wildcard selections to consider. Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst both played out of position at the Camp Nou last week and helped to disrupt Barcelona.
Ten Hag's tactical surprise certainly helped United get a foothold in the game early on and almost gave them an instant goal when Fernandes raced down the right and nearly picked out Fred with his low ball into the box.
That approach has already worked by making United a difficult team to prepare for this week, given that Barcelona can't be certain which side they will be up against.
For the first time in a while, it feels like United head into a match with a number of different midfield set-ups to choose from.
United's hopes of another famous European night rely on the middlemen.
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