Just eight Premier League games are left for Manchester United where, along with a stiff FA Cup Semi Final against Tottenham Hotspur, they will look to salvage what has been a frustrating and potentially anti-climatical season for Jose Mourinho and his squad of talented, yet enigmatic, players.
Here, we look at the remaining fixtures of Manchester United and attempt to predict the scores and where the Red Devils will finish come the season end – and what lies ahead in the summer.
March 31st vs Swansea City (H – EPL)
After the international break is over, United face an improved Swansea side at Old Trafford whom are fighting for their Premier League lives. Swansea will give them a scare, but we expect three points here, keeping hold of second place and that all important gap over Liverpool and Spurs.
April 7th vs Manchester City (A – EPL)
We predicted months ago that this could be the game that saw City lift the trophy with a victory over their neighbours…and there is a distinct chance this could turn into reality. Manchester United will want nothing less than to postpone the City parade until at least a week later – but we don’t see the Reds halting the Blues victory charge here. A loss will be hard to take, but that’s all we can see.
April 15th vs West Bromwich Albion (H – EPL)
As much as the previous game could see United face the Champions crowned, their next game could well be against a team already consigned to the drop. The Baggies have given Manchester United plenty of problems in the past – but not this week, with the Red Devils likely looking to stomp all over their hapless opponents who will just want this season over. Three points certain here.
April 21st vs Tottenham Hotspur (Wembley – FA Cup Semi Final)
Both teams will be desperate to win this game as it represents their final chance of silverware. The pressure will be more on Mourinho than his counterpart – but as Spurs could well be missing their talisman Harry Kane, Manchester United should feel much more confident in being able to hold Spurs at bay and on the back of what should have been a procession the week before, having the momentum to fire themselves to the FA Cup Final. It will be close – but United can win this.
April 29th vs Arsenal (H – EPL)
Buoyed on from the FA Cup success over their North London rivals, Manchester United may ride the crest of that wave against Arsenal in their next Premier League encounter. Arsenal may have little dependant on this game – with sixth place in the League pretty much locked up, much may well depend whether how the Gunners are doing in their pursuit of the Europa League, which could yet be their route into the Champions League. Either way, we don’t see United having much trouble against Arsenal here, as they look to hold off Liverpool. Three points.
May 5th vs Brighton & Hove Albion (A – EPL)
The Seagulls have enjoyed a positive first season in the Premier League and, by the time Manchester United visit town, should just about be safe for another season in the top flight for 2018/19. They wont roll out the red carpet though for their opponents and will want to sign off the season in style for their last home game of the season. A draw may not be ideal for Jose Mourinho and his charges but could have to settle for the same to set up a nailbiting climax to the season.
May 13th vs Watford (H – EPL)
The final game of the season could prove to be one Manchester United HAVE to win to make second place their own. But, they couldn’t ask for a better set of opponents than Watford, who whilst having the ability to score, have a distinct inability to keep opponents out, and should play right into United’s hands who should cruise to victory. Comfortable win here.
TBA vs Bournemouth (A – EPL)
Manchester United’s progress in the FA Cup means their scheduled Premier League game against Bournemouth will need moving – but whenever it may be, we see United only securing a point against a team who can prove stubborn opponents. This point gleaned keeps the scoreboard ticking over, but also keeps their Merseyside rivals very much in the race for second place.
May 19th – FA CUP FINAL
Our cautiously optimistic prediction that Manchester United see off Spurs in the Semi Finals will mean an appearance in the FA Cup Final against either Chelsea or Southampton – with the former the logical selection. It should make for a very tasty final if so, with Mourinho and Conte both, potentially, needing the win to save their season and maybe even their jobs. Maybe Jesse Lingard can carry on his big game Wembley heroics and win it for United!
OVERALL
So we see Manchester United ending up on 79 points on the season – Liverpool can only get a maximum of 84 points from their remaining games and we don’t see Spurs threatening second place. Liverpool don’t have a particularly tough run in but do have at least two more Champions League games that will take a huge amount out of them. 79 points should well be enough to give United the runners up place in the Premier League and we can see them lifting the FA Cup to boot, which may just be enough to appease the United faithful.
However, they will want to see a real clear out in the summer and a much improved level of performance next season as they have a real bridge to gap on their Manchester neighbours and the cream of Europe, as well as having a much improved Liverpool and Tottenham to contend with – and with Chelsea likely to have a change at Stamford Bridge also, they could well come again.
DO YOU AGREE WITH OUR PREDICTIONS? WHERE DO YOU THINK MANCHESTER UNITED WILL END UP THIS SEASON? LET US KNOW BELOW