The start of the Premier League season will usher in a frenetic period for Manchester United and their rivals.
Manchester United is fifth in the Premier League table as the season’s first international break approaches.
After losing their first two games, United found a spark and won four consecutive games, the most recent of which was a 3-1 victory over current table-toppers Arsenal more than a fortnight ago.
Following the victory over the Gunners, the Reds were scheduled to play two more games before the season was paused for the current break, but both were postponed due to the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II
It means that United has played one fewer game than three of the four teams currently atop the table. However, the return of the season on October 2, when Erik ten Hag‘s men travel to the Etihad Stadium to face rivals Manchester City, marks the start of a hectic period in which United will have to navigate their way through six league matches in the space of just 29 days.
It promises to be a demanding period for everyone, meaning Ten Hag will need every member of his squad fit and firing, with the Reds also going to have to manage their Europa League campaign simultaneously. With a big period on the horizon, MEN Sport has taken a close look at United’s next six Premier League fixtures in comparison to those of their expected top-four rivals.
Manchester United – 5th (12pts)
Manchester City (A) – October 2
Everton (A) – October 9
Newcastle United (H) – October 16
Tottenham Hotspur (H) – October 19
Chelsea (A) – October 22
West Ham United (H) – October 30
Verdict: With three games at home and three on the road, October will provide a clearer picture of the progress United has made under Ten Hag this season. They are expected to compete for a top-four spot and are currently one point outside of the Champions League places after six games.
After defeating Liverpool and Arsenal, who have won six of their first seven games, United will be confident that they can take something from the games against City, Tottenham, and Chelsea. October will be a success if they can secure a respectable haul of points from those three fixtures and take maximum points from both Everton and West Ham, who have only won one game each in the league so far this season.
The three games against the ‘big six’ look daunting on paper, but they will be opportunities for United to demonstrate how far they have come. They must also maximize their three home games.
Arsenal – 1st (18pts)
Tottenham Hotspur (H) – October 1
Liverpool (H) – October 9
Leeds United (A) – October 16
Southampton (A) – October 23
Nottingham Forest (H) – October 30
Chelsea (A) – November 6
Manchester City – 2nd (17pts)
Manchester United (H) – October 2
Southampton (H) – October 8
Liverpool (A) – October 16
Brighton & Hove Albion (H) – October 22
Leicester City (A) – October 29
Fulham (H) – November 5
In their next Premier League match, Manchester United will have to try to stop Erling Haaland.
Tottenham Hotspur – 3rd (17pts)
Arsenal (A) – October 1
Brighton & Hove Albion (A) – October 8
Everton (H) – October 15
Manchester United (A) – October 19
Newcastle United (H) – October 23
Bournemouth (A) – October 29
Chelsea – 7th (10pts)
Crystal Palace (A) – October 1
Wolves (H) – October 8
Aston Villa (A) – October 16
Brentford (A) – October 19
Manchester United (H) – October 22
Brighton & Hove Albion (A) – October 29
Liverpool – 8th (9pts)
Brighton & Hove Albion (H) – October 1
Arsenal (A) – October 9
Manchester City (H) – October 16
West Ham United (H) – October 19
Nottingham Forest (A) – October 22
Leeds United (H) – October 29
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