Manchester United’s pursuit of a first top-four finish in the Premier League since 2020/21 will take a two-week break to accommodate international fixtures.
Erik ten Hag’s side slumped to a gut-wrenching 0-0 home draw against Southampton in their last league outing but have since won back-to-back matches.
After beating Real Betis 1-0 to seal a comfortable Europa League quarter-final qualification as 5-1 aggregate winners, the Red Devils pulled off a late comeback to overcome Fulham in the FA Cup 3-1 last time out.
Those victories could have settled fans’ nerves ahead of a fortnight of international duties.
However, Man Utd’s Premier League form requires improvement in order to waltz away with a top-four finish after picking up just two wins in their last five top-flight matches (D2, L1).
United’s domestic commitments will re-start next month as we look at Man Utd’s fixtures in April.
Newcastle United – April 2 (A)
Man Utd’s top-flight campaign will resume on April 2 with a competitive-looking trip to St James’ Park to take on fellow top-four hopefuls Newcastle United.
With only three points separating the sides heading into the international break, this encounter has all the makings of a ‘top-four six-pointer,’ even though the Magpies currently languish in fifth.
Eddie Howe’s men have won consecutive league games for the first time in 2023 and will be looking to build on a hard-earned scoreless draw in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford.
Brentford – April 5 (H)
As one of the best-performing Premier League sides in 2023, Brentford went into March’s international window trailing fifth-placed Newcastle by only five points.
Despite being tipped for a season-long struggle in the lower reaches, Thomas Frank’s side have exceeded expectations and are in contention for a historic European finish.
Having lost just one of their ten league fixtures in the new calendar year (W5, D4), it’s hard to rule out the possibility of the Bees completing a Premier League double over Man Utd following a 4-0 romp in August.
Everton – April 8 (H)
While Everton’s visit to Old Trafford on April 8 looks like a straightforward assignment, at least on paper, the Toffees have turned their fortunes around under new manager Sean Dyche.
Everton’s hopes of securing Premier League survival are still in the balance, as they sit only one point clear of 18th-placed West Ham United, but a three-game unbeaten league run sounds promising (W1, D2).
Since Dyche’s arrival, the Merseyside strugglers have defeated pacesetters Arsenal and held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, showing they still have plenty of fighting spirit left in the tank.
But with their last Premier League triumph at Old Trafford dating back to 2013, Man United’s bid to recreate a 2-1 win from the reverse fixture should be safe and sound.
Nottingham Forest – April 16 (A)
United’s trip to the City Ground to encounter Nottingham Forest falls on April 16, only three days after their home clash against Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.
It will be up to ten Hag to help his players avoid fatigue and injuries amid a congested fixture schedule, something the Tricky Trees have no reason to worry about after exiting cup competitions earlier this year.
Steve Cooper’s team picked up only two points from six league contests ahead of the international break and will likely face a terrifying battle for survival until the final weekend.
Having already lost three competitive meetings with United this season by multi-goal margins and without scoring, Forest will likely have to seek all-important relegation points elsewhere.
Tottenham Hotspur – April 22 (A)
Unlike the aforementioned match-up, United will have to be at their best to breach Tottenham Hotspur’s home fortress and make it five straight Premier League H2H wins.
Antonio Conte’s men have won four consecutive home league matches, including three without conceding, but the wheels seem to have started to fall off on other fronts.
Ten Hag’s side strolled to a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford, and given Spurs’ turmoil caused by Conte’s infamous press conference, uncertain times lie ahead of the London outfit.
Although Tottenham will have a fortnight to resolve their internal issues, this could be a perfect opportunity for the Red Devils to make a difference in a keenly-contested top-four race.
Aston Villa – April 30 (H)
Aston Villa’s visit to the Theatre of Dreams will serve to drop the curtain on Man United’s fixtures in April.
Considering Villa’s season-long struggle in mid-table, this may give a false impression of being a simple task for ten Hag’s side, but that’s unlikely to be the case.
Unai Emery led the Birmingham outfit to four successive Premier League games without losing (W3, D1) before the international break impeded their momentum.
On top of their recent purple patch, Villa humbled United 3-1 in the reverse fixture on the Spaniard’s touchline debut in November.
