In terms of pure results, Manchester United have timed their best run of form this season pretty well, allowing them to head into the Old Trafford derby against Manchester City claiming they have momentum and confidence behind them.
But those attributes are fickle bedfellows and they can leave your corner as quickly as they arrive. If United have a taxing opening 15 minutes against Pep Guardiola's side, they might find their belief to be wilting.
The problem is that confidence is coming about through results rather than anything else. If City struggle on derby day their confidence will remain, because it is rooted in a belief in what they are doing under Guardiola that has already been proven.
Results will come and go, form might occasionally suffer, but they know the demands, they know the style and they know, over the long run, it will produce results. ALSO READ: Garnacho could face FA charge over social media post ALSO READ: United have new approach to academy transfers United's players don't have such luxuries to fall back on.