Manchester United face a gruelling run in April with nine fixtures in 30 days as they fight for a top-four place in the Premier League and more silverware in the FA Cup and Europa League.
The Red Devils have already played 46 games in all competitions and, as James Ducker reported yesterday, they could be involved in as many as 19 more matches.
If United reach the FA Cup and Europa League finals, it will mean an incredible 65-game season for the Manchester outfit.
Do they have the strength in depth to successfully navigate through these fixtures?
Casemiro’s suspension has come at the worst possible time for them, with the Brazilian set to miss the first three league games this month (Newcastle United, Brentford and Everton). Scott McTominay and Marcel Sabitzer must step up and deliver results in his absence.
Donny van Beek and Christian Eriksen are also sidelined with long-term injuries, although the latter is reportedly close to making a full recovery.
Marcus Rashford wasn’t part of the England squad during the international break and he will likely have benefited from the break.
Anthony Martial, who has missed a large portion of the season due to a series of injuries, could play a key role for United in the next two months.
Manager Erik ten Hag has deliberately not rushed the Frenchman this time, so he remains fit after the international break.
‘Crazy’ April schedule
Man United will make the trip to St James’ Park on Sunday to take on Newcastle, who will be seeking revenge for the Carabao Cup final loss.
Back-to-back home clashes against Brentford, who pulled off a stunning 4-0 win in the Gtech Community Stadium match, and Everton are next on their fixtures list.
The first leg of United’s Europa League quarter-final tie with Sevilla falls on April 13, with the next league game at Nottingham Forest scheduled just three days later.
After the away leg of the Europa League tie in Spain on April 20, the Red Devils will immediately return to FA Cup action as they lock horns with Brighton & Hove Albion in the semi-final at Wembley Stadium.
United’s fixtures in April will finally end with a testing Premier League fixture at Tottenham Hotspur and a home clash against Aston Villa.
