Manchester United fixtures: Next six games after stoppage time Brighton loss
By Euan Burns
Manchester United are into the final weeks of the 2022/23 season.
Overall, it has been a positive first year for Erik ten Hag, but lapses and disappointing performances have continued to filter through regardless - including Thursday's last-gasp 1-0 defeat to Brighton.
United are still favourites to finish in the top four ahead of Liverpool thanks to a four-point cushion and a game in hand on their north west rivals. But momentum is with the Merseysiders, who are on a run of five straight Premier League wins and there can be no guarantees.
Here are United's final six fixtures of the season.
West Ham vs Manchester United - Premier League
Man Utd have got a fairly kind Premier League run-in compared to many other teams as they do not face any of their top-four competitors or title chasers Arsenal or Manchester City. They will be wary that West Ham still need something to ensure they do not get relegated.
The Hammers are not out of the woods yet and suffered a tough 3-0 defeat against City recently where some key players were out injured. They will need to have those players back if they are to get anything at home against United.
- 07/05/2023 - West Ham vs Manchester United (19:00)
Manchester United vs Wolves - Premier League
This is extremely similar to the West Ham game in the sense that, while not mathematically safe, Wolves know they just need another win or two to make sure. United's home form is so good that they may struggle to get that win at Old Trafford.
This could potentially be the game where Raphael Varane returns from injury which will make the task for Wolves even harder, so United will be looking for a routine victory which can keep the good momentum going.
- 13/05/2023 - Manchester United vs Wolves (15:00)
Bournemouth vs Manchester United - Premier League
Add this one to the list. Bournemouth have done extremely well to drag themselves away from the drop zone and it would take quite the collapse for them to be relegated now. They may even be safe by the time United visit the Vitality Stadium.
That could mean they have a fairly easy job turning the Cherries over, but there is also a chance they have taken enough confidence from their form to get something at home against a United side whose away form has left a lot to be desired.
- 20/05/2023 - Bournemouth vs Manchester United (15:00)
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Manchester United vs Chelsea - Premier League
It still feels remiss to call a fixture against Chelsea an easy game, but based purely on the form of each team in the league, this is an easier game for United than going away to Bournemouth. It remains to be seen if Chelsea will have picked up any points under Frank Lampard by this stage.
It can't be ruled out that some of the undoubtedly talented players in the Chelsea squad manage to find some performance at Old Trafford, but United have to come into this one as the overwhelming favourites to get three points.
- 25/05/2023 - Manchester United vs Chelsea (20:00)
Manchester United vs Fulham - Premier League
This will be the final league game of the season for Manchester United and they will both hope and expect to have their place in the top four sewn up. There is a good chance this will be a game between two sides with little to nothing to play for.
If that is the case, Ten Hag would be wise to make wholesale changes to his side so that he can rest the key stars ahead of the FA Cup final that comes just a few days later.
- 28/05/2023 - Manchester United vs Fulham - Premier League
Manchester City vs Manchester United - FA Cup
The big one. There is no doubt Man Utd will come into the final as the underdogs but not underwhelmingly so. They beat their city rivals the last time the two sides met, but City do seem to be in a pretty ruthless vein of form.
As mentioned, Ten Hag will hope to have rested his key players ahead of this one and he should have Raphael Varane back in the defence and up to match fitness, alongside Victor Lindelof who has stepped up impressively so far in the absence of the two main defenders.
It's a one-off game, so anything can happen.
- 03/06/2023 - Man City vs Man Utd (FA Cup, 15:00)
Date / Kick-off time | Fixture |
---|---|
07/05/2023 - 19:00 | West Ham vs Man Utd |
13/05/2023 - 15:00 | Man Utd vs Wolves |
20/05/2023 - 15:00 | Bournemouth vs Man Utd |
25/05/2023 - 20:00 | Man Utd vs Chelsea |
28/05/2023 - 16:30 | Man Utd vs Fulham |
03/06/2023 - 15:00 | Man City vs Man Utd (FA Cup final) |