Manchester United’s bid to seize a fourth top-four Premier League finish in four years is at a crossroads following a mixed start to the 2022/23 season.
If you are backing United for success this season, the Manchester United predictions page is a great starting point for the best tips you can find for the Red Devils’ matches.
Erik ten Hag’s side could only manage a scoreless home draw with Newcastle United on Sunday, leaving the Red Devils on the periphery of the top four.
Crag Pawson’s decision to deny Cristiano Ronaldo’s cheeky attempt at robbing a free-kick off the toe of Nick Pope highlighted an otherwise drab goalless affair.
However, it’s fair to admit that United got away with a point against Eddie Howe’s team, considering the Magpies wasted several presentable scoring opportunities on either side of half-time.
Luke Shaw, who fought his way back into the starting XI after falling down the pecking order in favour of Tyrell Malacia, took to the press to reveal how ten Hag helped them improve his form ahead of the World Cup.
The England international insists the Dutch manager is ‘keeping everyone on their toes’ by demoting underperforming players to the bench (via the Mail Online).
Shaw should be in the starting line-up when United take on fellow top-four hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur in Wednesday’s mammoth Premier League clash at the Theatre of Dreams.
Without further ado, let’s have a look at United’s upcoming October games.
Tottenham Hotspur – 19/10/2022
Spurs notched up an unanswered second-half double to sink Everton 2-0 in north London at the weekend and solidify their place in the Premier League top-four race.
Antonio Conte’s men boast a seven-point lead on fifth-placed Man Utd, albeit the Red Devils have a game in hand, emphasising the importance of Wednesday’s showdown at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag’s team completed a league double of Tottenham in 2021/22 and will be looking for more of the same this midweek as their hopes of breaking back into the top four are still in the balance.
Man Utd may take the field as slight pre-match favourites, but they should be all too aware of Spurs’ decent domestic form on the road that has seen them lose only once across five league travels this season.
But if you’re looking for an omen, the three-time European champions have racked up more Premier League victories on Wednesday (72) than any other club in the competition’s history.
So there are plenty of reasons ten Hag’s lads can hold onto ahead of Tottenham’s visit as we expect United to claim all three points here.
Chelsea – 22/10/2022
The midweek home encounter against Tottenham will serve as a warm-up fixture ahead of Man Utd’s road trip to Stamford Bridge to lock horns with Graham Potter’s Chelsea.
Potter’s arrival in west London has turned the Blues’ fortunes around, helping them overcome a lackadaisical league start under Thomas Tuchel and climb to fourth in the table.
It’s worth noting that the Red Devils haven’t lost any of their last four top-flight matches against Chelsea in the capital (W1, D3), which should bolster their spirits ahead of another top-four six-pointer.
However, we expect a share of the spoils at the Bridge.
West Ham United – 30/10/2022
Man Utd’s October action closes out at home to another London-based opposition West Ham United on October 30.
Unlike the two abovementioned high-flyers, David Moyes’ men have experienced a false Premier League start, picking up just one triumph from the opening seven rounds.
However, West Ham’s mini-revival on the back of the Premier League restart in October has seen them win twice in three league outings (D1) and build their way out of the lower reaches.
Despite the Hammers’ noticeable upturn in form, we expect United to keep all three points at home.
