1. The last thing Manchester United need is a break.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have clicked into gear as the clocks have gone back – and a 3-1 win against Brighton was the most compelling evidence yet that he is on the right track.
That's six goals in back-to-back games at Old Trafford and the dizzying heights of seventh in the Premier League table.
Compare that to the last time United's players packed up their bags for the international break on the back of a miserable 1-0 defeat at Newcastle last month.
Solskjaer's side sat two points above the relegation zone having failed to score more than one goal in a game since the opening day of the season.
Since then they've held league leaders Liverpool, secured their place in the quarter finals of the EFL Cup at the expense of high-flying Chelsea, and reached the knockout stages of the Europa League with two games to spare.
By any objective measure, it's been a positive few weeks.
Considering United's woes this season, it's as close to cork-popping time as we've seen since that unforgettable night in Paris.
The one blot was that defeat to Bournemouth last week when all United's failings came back to haunt them in an insipid display on the south coast.
Solskjaer called on his players to prove it was blip – but in the context of such a turbulent campaign, he cannot have been sure.
Yet this was an emphatic response and a huge source of encouragement for anyone with United in their heart.
For their success-starved supporters, it's been champagne football for the past two games.
Just as against Partizan Belgrade on Thursday, victory could have been far more resounding.
Strikes from Andreas Pereira and Marcus Rashford, as well as a Davy Propper own goal, sealed the win – but United could have doubled that figure at least in a second half in which they opened Brighton up at will.
Rashford – as on Thursday – should have walked away with a hat-trick, while Brandon Williams and Dan James forced fine saves from Mathew Ryan.
Rashford, in particular, was guilty of firing wide with an open net to aim at, yet his was a performance underlined his own upturn in form and the confidence United are showing going forward.
It is still a work in progress and Solskjaer, who told his players to fill their boots ahead of Partizan, will expect his side to be more ruthless in front of goal. But their attacking movement and creativity are in complete contrast to the stilted performances of a month ago.
Brighton couldn't handle the pace of Rashford and James in wide positions – and given number of fouls they were forced into, it's remarkable they ended the game with XI men on the pitch.
James was outstanding – leaving Shane Duffy in his wake time and again.
He forced Lewis Dunk into a desperate challenge that led to Fred delivering the free-kick that Propper ultimately slashed into his own net to double United's lead after just 19 minutes.
Two minutes earlier Pereira's clipped effort inside the box, after Anthony Martial's lay off, took a heavy deflection off Dale Stephens to put the home side in front.
While Brighton may have cursed their luck, both goals were a result of United's energy and pace, which led to increasingly desperate defending from the visitors.
When Lewis Dunk halved the deficit on 64 minutes it was a test of United's character, given their struggles to hold onto leads this season. But it took just two minutes for them to restore their two-goal advantage, with the hugely impressive Fred providing a slick through-ball to Martial, who had the presence of mind to find Rashford after Ryan's initial block.
The England striker was ruthless with his finish.
Had he been as clinical with two more chances shortly after, United would have signed off for the international break with their most handsome win of the season.
Instead they had to settle for just the three – the third time they've managed that figure in their last five games – and a genuine reason for optimism.
3. Williams is already a hero
As he left the pitch to a standing ovation late one, Brandon Williams emergence as the latest product of United's famed academy was confirmed.
The 19-year-old has been one of the huge pluses for Solskjaer this season and this was another accomplished performance from such an inexperienced player.
Luke Shaw is expected back after the international break – but on this evidence, his route back into the first team is far from guaranteed
