After moving past Cambridge United, the Red Devils now face Preston North End in the last 16 and United’s Dutch boss is well aware that silverware could be just four games away.

The Red Devils, who set up in an experimental 4-1-3-2 formation, always looked in control against a Leicester outfit that won the reverse fixture 5-3 back in September.

United had been touted as potential title challengers during their 11-match unbeaten run over the Christmas period but are now 12 points behind leaders Chelsea.

Despite controlling much of the proceedings at Old Trafford, United failed to register a single shot on target, with Dusan Tadic’s well-taken effort enough to secure victory for Ronald Koeman’s high-flying Saints.

Robin van Persie scored the third as Louis van Gaal’s men dominated Newcastle 3-1 to extend their unbeaten run to eight games.

United were in devilish form at Old Trafford on Sunday as they sealed their sixth consecutive Premier League victory by beating Liverpool 3-0.

The relative lack of current success for both clubs is threatening to take some of the bite out this most tempestuous of clashes.

Robin van Persie’s double at Southampton has left Louis van Gaal’s side in third place but defender Evans has played enough times against Liverpool to know anything can happen.

On paper what looks like a staggeringly good win against a Southampton side who had started the season on fire was actually a far from convincing victory for United.

Robin van Persie’s double secured a 2-1 victory for United – their fifth on the bounce – against Southampton on Monday evening, though they only managed three shots on goal, their lowest tally in a game since 2003.

Van Gaal’s United side face seven games in the next 31 days and a victory in their first, against Stoke City this evening, would see United record four straight wins for only the second time since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.