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Manchester United: Analysing the remaining Premier League fixtures of Erik ten Hag’s side

With their destiny still very much in their own hands, let us look at the remaining fixtures for Erik ten Hag’s side.

By Karthik Raman | May 10, 2023 | 4 Min Read

Not long ago the race for the top four positions in the Premier League seemed all but done and dusted. However, a below-par couple of weeks have thrown the race wide open. Manchester United suffered back-to-back away defeats last week, leaving some of their supporters worried. What looked like an easy walk into the top four positions has now become a challenging task for the Red Devils. Despite these recent setbacks, United still very much hold the advantage to finish fourth.

Manchester United are sitting fourth in the Premier League table with 63 points from 34 games. Liverpool are one point and place behind them but have played a game more. Another unlikely contender is Brighton who have 55 points from 33 matches. If Liverpool and Brighton win all their remaining games, they would get to 71 and 70 points respectively. Hence, all Man United would require is 72 points, i.e., three wins from their remaining four games to seal the deal. That too only if Liverpool and Brighton win all their matches. With their destiny still very much in their own hands, let us look at the remaining fixtures for Erik ten Hag’s side.

Wolverhampton Wanderers – May 13 (Home)

As bad as Manchester United have been away from home, they have been supremely efficient at Old Trafford. Following those defeats in their last outings, ten Hag would not have wished for anything more than a return to their home ground. This game is perfect in every sense for the Red Devils. Wolves have just secured their Premier League status with a win in their last game, which has taken their tally to 40 points. Hence, they have very little to play for in the remaining matches of the season. It is exactly what United would need to bounce back from recent setbacks and put some of those fears among their supporters to bed.

Bournemouth – May 20 (Away)

This is the only away fixture Manchester United still have left in this league campaign. The Red Devils have been quite poor away from home, something the manager would be keen to rectify soon. However, this match could work in their favour too. Bournemouth too have all but sealed their status as a Premier League club for another season after reaching 39 points in the table. By the time United travel to Vitality Stadium, the home team would have nothing but pride to play for in their remaining games. Since Man United would need the points more than the home side in that fixture, this away game could also be just what ten Hag and his coaching staff would require.

Chelsea – May 25 (Home)

This is the game in hand Manchester United have over Liverpool in the top four race. In a normal season, this fixture would have had all the ingredients to make it a blockbuster clash, however, that is not the case this time around. Chelsea have fallen too far down in table and are enduring a season to forget. Placed 11^th in the standings with just 42 points to their name, there is not much left to play for the Blues. They are neither going down nor are they going to seal any European places. Hence, this could be the right time to play Chelsea for Erik ten Hag’s side. If the results from the last two matches go their way, then United would be in a position to seal their top four status against the Blues at Old Trafford.

Fulham – May 28 (Home)

If results go their way in previous matches, Manchester United could very well secure Champions League football even before kick-starting this game. Either way, this fixture at Old Trafford will act as a safety net for ten Hag and his boys. If any of the previous games do not go according to plan then they would need to get points from this match. Placed 10^th in the standings, Fulham have already outperformed expectations this season and still have a glimmer of hope in securing a top-7 status. However, by the time the final matchday kicks-off, Fulham might not have much to gain from that game. Hence, ten Hag and his coaching staff would not mind concluding their league campaign against Fulham at Old Trafford.