Manchester United could find themselves ahead of Premier League champions Liverpool by the time they head to Anfield on January 17.
That was unthinkable just a month ago, with United sitting fifth in the Premier League table and still relying on late comebacks to secure wins.
A ninth away win in a row was secured with a 3-1 victory at West Ham at the beginning of December in yet another game that United trailed at the break.
Their individual quality once again shone through but few had them down as potential title challengers.
Following that win, United have beaten Sheffield United, Leeds United and Wolves, whilst drawing away at Leicester City and at home to City.
Meanwhile, Tottenham and Chelsea have suffered damaging defeats which leaves them both outside the top five.
After the win over West Ham, Gary Neville insisted that the players in the dressing room would believe they could win the Premier League crown for the first time in 2013.
Liverpool's injury crisis and a drop in form from City had opened the door to Tottenham, Chelsea and United, although at the time United seemed the least likely of the three clubs to take advantage.
"I think he's (Mourinho) got a chance because there's no doubt Liverpool and City are not where they were," Neville told the Gary Neville Podcast. "Losing Van Dijk, I think Liverpool win this league at a canter if Van Dijk is fit. I really do, nobody can get near them.
"I still think Liverpool will win the league but there are little things going against them that haven't in the last couple of seasons. The same for Manchester City and that makes it interesting.
"Chelsea and Tottenham are looking at them thinking 'hmmm, they're not right and we're okay here, we're starting to hit form, we're getting closer to them' and I think that is giving confidence to them.
"Even Manchester United - Manchester United players will be sat thinking 'we could have a chance if we play like we could' as daft as that sounds because I don't think they will win the league.
"That's what this season is doing to us because the top two have set a bar that we've never seen before and now we are starting to see something more normal."
