Manchester United are in the midst of their best run of form since the Ruben Amorim era began last November.
The Portuguese manager has come under heavy scrutiny since the second half of last season, and a slow start to this campaign ramped up the pressure on him. They recorded just two wins from their opening six Premier League games, suffering defeats against Arsenal, Manchester City and Brentford.
However, Amorim’s side appears to have turned a corner after winning three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since February 2024. United moved up to sixth in the table after last weekend’s 4-2 win against Brighton & Hove Albion, level on points with City and just one behind Sunderland in fourth.
Amorim will demand more of the same from his players on either side of the upcoming international break and the schedule could work in their favour.
Nottingham Forest (A) – November 1
United kick off the new month with a trip to Nottingham Forest. They have already made two managerial changes this season, sacking Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou before appointing Sean Dyche.
Forest head into the game inside the relegation zone and United will be keen to add to their misery when they face each other next weekend. However, the Red Devils have come away empty-handed from their last two visits to Nottingham.
The home side’s recent form will boost United’s odds of getting a result, as will the absence of last season’s top goalscorer Chris Wood. The New Zealand international has notched three goals and an assist in 11 Premier League games against United, so sports bettors who use free bets in NZ would have backed their compatriot to cause them plenty of problems.
With Wood sidelined through injury, his Kiwi fans may view United as the value bet to extend their winning streak to four games. Odds of 11/10 are an accurate assessment of United’s chance of winning the game and punters in New Zealand could make a tidy profit by backing them.
Tottenham Hotspur (A) – November 8
The Red Devils visit Tottenham Hotspur on November 8. They have blown hot and cold since Thomas Frank was appointed as manager, but they have kept their place in the top four.
Tottenham made light work of Everton over the weekend as a stunning brace from Micky van de Ven and a last-minute strike from Pape Matar Sarr put the home side to the sword. That win moved Spurs up to third in the table, just one point above United. But that could change as Frank’s side face Chelsea before hosting United.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for United in recent times. They are winless in their last three visits (D1, L2). You have to go back to October 2021 for the last time United won at Tottenham’s home ground.
United have also failed to beat Tottenham in their last five league meetings, alternating between draws and defeats since their 2-0 win at Old Trafford in October 2022. If they manage to maintain their momentum when they face Forest, United could make the most of the wind in their sails to end their recent record against Tottenham.
Everton (H) – November 24
United will have a reprieve from away trips when they welcome Everton to Old Trafford on November 24. The Toffees have had a decent start to the season but have struggled with consistency, which could work in United’s favour.
The two sides drew 2-2 on their most recent meeting, with Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte scoring late in the second half to spare United’s blushes on that occasion. The Red Devils had previously won five consecutive games against Everton. United have been dominant against Everton at Old Trafford, with three of those five wins coming at the Theatre of Dreams.
It is over a decade since Everton came away from United with three points. The Red Devils are currently on an 11-game unbeaten streak against the Toffees on home turf (W7, D4) and will be favourites to extend that record in their latest encounter.
Crystal Palace (A) – November 30
United are back on the road for their final outing in November as they face Crystal Palace side at Selhurst Park. Palace have started the season well and are generally a tough proposition on their own patch.
The Red Devils have struggled at Selhurst Park in recent years. The last time they won at Palace was in July 2020. They are winless in their last five visits (D3, L2). A second-half brace from Jean-Philippe Mateta condemned the Red Devils to a 2-0 defeat the last time both sides locked horns.
The Red Devils are in a much better place at the moment and will view this fixture as another opportunity to keep themselves in contention for a top four finish.
