Manchester United winger Ashley Young will miss Monday's visit of his previous club Aston Villa after being ruled out for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury.
The stage is set at the Theatre of Dreams. A victory for Manchester United will secure an unprecedented 20th league title with four matches to spare. Few would bet against them, especially given their extraordinary dominance over Monday's opponents Aston Villa in the Premier League era.
It's United who are now revelling in being the noisy neighbours in the wake of Manchester City's capitulation against Tottenham on Sunday.
That result was arguably more bad news for Villa, who were helpless as most of their relegation rivals picked up points at the weekend. With United desperate to clinch the title in front of their home supporters, Villa can expect pumped-up opposition on the pitch and in the stands.
Sir Alex Ferguson, for one, is eager to eclipse Chelsea's top-flight points record of 95 by winning the remaining five matches.
"There won't be any slacking off," Ferguson said. "(The record) is not beyond us at all. Can Manchester United win five games in a row? How many times have we done that?
"You have to admire the focus we have shown this season. We are resilient and the consistency has been good. Like all the previous teams, they never give in."
Villa can testify to that. They pushed United hard last November, going 2-0 up at Villa Park thanks to an Andreas Weimann brace only for half-time substitute Javier Hernandez to inspire a comeback victory for the visitors.
Despite Villa's current predicament and the occasion at Old Trafford, manager Paul Lambert wants his under-pressure side to enjoy themselves .
"It's going to be a fantastic place to play football, against the champions elect. If you don't enjoy going playing there, there's something wrong. If you can't handle the pressure, you're not going to be a footballer. It's what you're having a career for.
"It's a game no-one expects us to get anything from but we're certainly a goal threat. They have been the most consistent team in the league but from our own point of view we need the points every bit as much as they do."
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