After a succumbing to a humbling defeat versus Premier League rivals Arsenal last weekend and with the international break in full swing, thoughts are now turning back towards domestic action. In particular reference to Manchester United and how they will look to respond.
Doing so will be no easy feat, as The Red Devils travel to Goodison Park to face Everton next Saturday. Looking further ahead, it is not only The Toffees who are set to test Louis van Gaal's men.
The defeat at The Emirates was a tough pill to swallow for Van Gaal. Before the game, the Dutchman was bullish of his sides' chances - with his charges top of the tree - versus an Arsenal side, who had lost to Olympiacos in the Champions League, just five days previously.
United simply caught cold?
The same - albeit lack of belief - would have been in force for The Gunners fanbase, however, what we got was a 20 minute tour-de-force from the home side, to crush the visitors before half time. But did the performance from Arsene Wenger's men merely catch United on the hop, or was this loss a long-time in coming?
Post-match last weekend, Van Gaal spoke of his side 'lacking emotion' and being 'without aggression'. A stunning statement considering the endeavour of previous United displays, in this particular corner of North London.
A positive response will not be easy
Manchester United will need an injection of both elements if they are to compete with Roberto Martinez' men, whose expansive full-back play and tough-tackling, dominant midfield could consign Louis Van Gaal to further misery. Indeed, the last time the sides met back in April, Everton won by a convincing score of 3-0.
Should United suffer a second successive defeat, the trip four days later to the cold of CSKA Moscow and the always tricky Russian capital - not to mention the notorious Luzhniki Stadium's artificial surface - could present yet more problems for Van Gaal.
Manchester derby on the horizon
United will definitely have one eye on the fixture that following weekend, as United's infamous 'noisy neighbours' Manchester City roll up to Old Trafford.
United close the month with a tricky Capital One Cup tie with Championship high-flyers Middlesbrough and then a daunting looking trip to Selhurst Park on the 31st, with Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace hovering around the top six.
October is the month traditionally associated with Halloween festivities. For United and Louis Van Gaal, there are likely to more than a few scares along the way. And it could very much be a case of more 'trick' than 'treat'.