Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko (left) celebrates his injury-time equaliser at West Ham
The unintended consequence of exiting both domestic cup competitions at the earliest possible stage and ending up with the smallest season games-wise since 1914-15 is that the remainder of Manchester United's campaign is divided into blocks before a longer than usual spell without a game.
They are at the first now. It will be 12 days until United go to Everton.
For Michael Carrick, who was only appointed on 13 January, it is a good chance for his squad to "refresh", to allow some players to "clean up their niggles and strains" and "take a bit of a breather".
But it is also an opportunity to reflect.
