Jose Mourinho was pleased to see some positive signs from his players as Manchester United ended a three-match losing streak and set up a mouth-watering EFL Cup clash with rivals Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola's side condemned the Portuguese to his first competitive loss at the Old Trafford helm on September 10, and that result was quickly compounded by losing at Feyenoord in the Europa League and defeat by Watford in the Premier League.
It meant Wednesday's previously nondescript third-round trip to League One side Northampton took on increased importance, but United ensured there would be no humiliating early exit.