The highs of February’s Carabao Cup triumph have quickly been usurped by Premier League perils at Manchester United.
After beating Newcastle 2-0 at Wembley to claim their first piece of silverware under Erik ten Hag, United have endured a barren run in the league and have subsequently fallen out of the top-four. Defeats at Anfield and St. James’ Park were chastening in their own ways, and it’s safe to say Ten Hag is currently going through his first tricky period since the first two weeks of the 2022/23 campaign – although a win over Brentford did help steady the ship.
Nevertheless, the Red Devils’ excellent start to 2023 means they remain in two cup competitions which means their April is nothing short of hectic.
United will be competing on multiple fronts down the stretch, and here’s what their schedule looks like after the 1-0 win over Brentford.
Man Utd host Sean Dyche’s side in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off this weekend.
Michael Keane rescued Everton a point against a woeful Spurs on Monday night to keep their heads afloat in the fight for survival. The Toffees will be reliant on their form at Goodison Park down the stretch, and they’ll be grateful to get anything from their visit to Old Trafford.
The visitors will, of course, be without the suspended Abdoulaye Doucoure.
It’s more Spanish opposition for the Red Devils in the Europa League as they take on Sevilla in the quarter-finals.
United bypassed Barcelona in the play-off round before easing beyond Real B*tis in the last 16 to set up this tie against the six-time winners. Despite their domestic indifference this term, you simply cannot write Sevilla off in this competition.
The dark clouds are circling over Steve Cooper at the City Ground and there’s a good chance he isn’t in the job by the time Man Utd visit in mid-April.
Forest, who are without a win in eight, merely sit out of the relegation zone on goal difference and the signs are ominous for the newly-promoted side. United were successful on their most recent trip to the City Ground in the Carabao Cup, but Forest’s desperation renders this a tricky fixture for Ten Hag’s side.
United then make the trip to Seville for the second leg of their quarter-final tie. Ten Hag’s men have performed admirably on the road in this competition thus far, but they’ll be hoping to have a comfortable buffer heading into the return fixture.
There’s certainly little to fear on United’s behalf with Sevilla boasting the fourth-worst home record in La Liga this term. Thus, many expect the Premier League outfit to advance into the last four.
United are hoping to secure a domestic cup double, but a difficult semi-final fixture in the FA Cup awaits the Red Devils.
Ten Hag’s side have been faultless in the cup competitions so far, but Brighton will pose a major threat to their perfection. The Seagulls have dazzled since Roberto De Zerbi succeeded Graham Potter as manager, and the Italian is desperate to reward supporters with a historic 2022/23 campaign.
Brighton are aiming to lift their first-ever FA Cup trophy, while United are striving for their 13th.
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A busy April doesn’t even conclude with this trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as United are taking on Aston Villa three days later to close the month out.
Nevertheless, United’s recent Premier League woes means this fixture could have major implications in the top-four race. While the Red Devils have been poor away from home against the ‘Big Six’ this season, they’ll fancy their chances of overcoming a seemingly broken Spurs side in north London.
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