This season could well prove to be Manchester United’s most successful since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson.
After a shaky start, Erik ten Hag has done quite the job in his first campaign in charge and has United in the Carabao Cup final, past Barcelona in the Europa League and firmly into the Premier League top four.
They may be strong outsiders in the title fight, but they could change that in the coming weeks while also lifting a trophy and taking steps forward in the other two cup competitions.
Here’s who they need to beat.
It hasn’t taken long for Ten Hag to reach his first final with Man Utd, with only Newcastle standing between the club and Carabao Cup glory.
They are two sides very much up on the up at the moment, and victory for either at Wembley would be a real statement of intent as they look to become two of the best teams in England under new leadership.
They’ve drawn their last two matches with one another, with the games ending 1-1 and 0-0, but there will have to be a winner in this one.
One cup game will follow another for Man Utd as they go from a Carabao Cup final straight to an FA Cup fifth round tie with West Ham.
With Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all knocked out of the competition, Ten Hag and co have a big opportunity to lift the trophy, with only local rivals Manchester City more likely to do in the eyes of the bookies.
West Ham shouldn’t be underestimated though having recently picked up draws with Newcastle and Chelsea, and David Moyes will be going all out to try and get one over his former employers.
United will return to Premier League action with a bang, travelling to Liverpool for a game with their arch-rivals on the first Sunday of March.
The visitors would take a huge step towards a top-four finish with a win, while a victory for the hosts would do their chances of Champions League qualification the world of good.
A win over Liverpool kickstarted Ten Hag’s turnaround earlier this season, and another one would all but ensure his first campaign will end up a good one.
Barring a remarkable Premier League triumph, Ten Hag’s best possible achievement in his first season at the helm would be to win the Europa League.
Such an achievement looks very much possible following the side’s win over Barcelona, and they’ll have to beat Spanish opponents again in the next round in the form of Real B*tis.
The La Liga side are enjoying a strong season, sitting fifth in their division, but will still be the underdogs for this tie.
If Ten Hag didn’t so rarely rotate his side, we’d say he’d take the chance to rest some of his key players in this game against Southampton.
The visitors will be giving everything they’ve got considering they’re fighting for their Premier League status, but you’d expect the hosts to prevail if they can perform to the best of their abilities.
James Ward-Prowse’s side have tasted victory against Man City and Chelsea this season though, so United can’t take anything for granted.
Man Utd will be hoping that this game won’t be one they need to win as they’ll be taking a lead into the second leg after prevailing at home.
They’re unbeaten in their last five matches on Spanish soil and have won four of them – extending that run could well secure progression.
Credit: 90min.com