It's no exaggeration to say that the final nine games of the season for Manchester United may well define how their summer transfer window and the next few seasons play out.
They really are that important. The Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford prior to the international break ended United's final faint hope of ending their five-year trophy drought this season and the only thing they have left to play for is qualifying for next year's edition of the European competition.
For a club that had aspirations of challenging for the Premier League title ahead of the season, it really is a sobering position to be in, but that doesn't make it any less crucial.
Should United fail to qualify for Europe's biggest competition then their summer recruitment plans, for a manager and for players, will likely take a hit, as the club will become even less attractive a proposition.
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk