(CNN) It's been a tough season for Manchester United fans and the Premier League's conclusion could be even tougher for them.

After having to endure the dog days of Jose Mourinho's tenure as United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's appointment brought renewed optimism to the club's supporters, but recently performances under the Norwegian have dipped alarmingly.

The Red Devils were soundly beaten by Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinal last week before being thumped 4-0 by Everton on Sunday.

Now, United meets title-chasing local rival Manchester City on Wednesday, a team that has won 10 Premier League games in a row and will be looking to rub its current superiority in the face of its more illustrious neighbor.

Should United take points off its crosstown rival, however, it would severely dent City's title ambitions, give it local bragging rights and boost its own hopes of securing the Premier League's final Champions League spot as the season comes to a close.