Next six games after Nottingham Forest victory

Everything looked so rosy for Manchester United only a few weeks ago. A promising first season under Erik ten Hag, some new glamorous signings and a potential takeover still firmly on the horizon.

Fast forward to the present moment and things look very different.

An unconvincing and narrow 1-0 victory over Wolves on the opening weekend was followed by a disheartening 2-0 defeat at Tottenham. Ten Hag’s return to Old Trafford didn’t got to plan either with United having to stage a dramatic comeback during their 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest after conceding two goals in the first five minutes.

With more signings looking increasingly unlikely for the Red Devils, things must improve on the pitch quickly, and Ten Hag must find a way to get his side back to their best.

Here are Manchester United’s next six fixtures.

Things don’t get much easier for United any time soon as they face a trip to the Emirates Stadium in their next fixture. Arsenal haven’t made the most convincing start to the season either, but they will arguably prove the toughest test that Ten Hag’s side have faced so far this campaign.

In their final game before the international break, United will need to significantly improve to have any hope of getting a point or more in north London. The Red Devils have not tasted victory at the Emirates since their FA Cup triumph in January 2019.

A similarly difficult fixture these days, Brighton will fancy their chances when they travel to Old Trafford after the international break. Roberto De Zerbi has managed to maintain high standards despite losing Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister this summer and the visiting Seagulls will make life difficult for United.

Brighton did the league double over United last season but Ten Hag’s men did triumph in the FA Cup semi-final after penalties. The Red Devils have struggled at Old Trafford so far this season and this will prove a mighty test of their credentials.

Ten Hag doesn’t know who his side will face in the Champions League group stages just yet, but he will come 31 August. His side sit in pot two this season, meaning there are some tough potential opponents that United could face.

United could face the likes of Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Napoli, but will be glad to be back in Europe’s elite competition regardless of their opponents.

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United will face a familiar foe when they travel to Turf Moor: Vincent Kompany. The Burnley boss and former Manchester City captain has been at war with the Red Devils many times in the past, but Ten Hag’s side will be the favourites for this particular battle.

It will be United’s first meeting with a newly-promoted side this campaign, and their first clash with Burnley since their 2-0 victory over the Lancashire side in last season’s Carabao Cup.

The Red Devils will begin their defence of the Carabao Cup in late September, although they are yet to know their first opponents. The competition provided Ten Hag with his first taste of silverware in English football last campaign.

United enter the competition at the third round, with the draw likely to take place on either the 29 or 30 August.

United will be hoping their form has improved by the time Crystal Palace travel to Old Trafford in late September. It’s another fixture Ten Hag’s side will be expected to win, but a tricky test nonetheless.

In fact, Palace have won two of their last four trips to Old Trafford, those being successive victories in 2019 and 2020.

LISTEN NOW TO 90MIN’S MAN UTD PODCAST: THE PROMISED LAND

On this edition of The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders and Rob Blanchette discuss the impact of Luke Shaw and Mason Mount’s injuries and whether Erik ten Hag shoud look to the club’s youth players for support.

If you can’t see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!