Manchester United will need to play catch-up when they return from the September international break.
Erik ten Hag and his men have picked up only six points from a possible 12 on offer so far this season. United have also suffered two defeats on the road to north London-based rivals Tottenham and Arsenal.
Injuries have certainly not helped their cause, but there are still over 100 points up for grabs. However, following the international break, the schedule will ramp up into overdrive owing to other competitions.
United are fighting on four fronts this season as they return to the Champions League and attempt to defend the Carabao Cup trophy they won last season. Both charges get underway this month as we take a closer look at their next six Premier League fixtures compared to fellow top-four contenders.
Manchester United
Saturday, September 16 vs Brighton (H) at 3pm
Saturday, September 23 vs Burnley (A) at 8pm
Saturday, September 30 vs Crystal Palace (H) at 3pm
Saturday, October 7 vs Brentford (H) at 3pm
Saturday, October 21 vs Sheffield United (A) at 8pm
Sunday, October 29 vs October vs Man City (H) at 3.30pm
The verdict: You cannot help but draw your eyes to the Manchester derby. United have winnable games before then – although nothing is guaranteed in the Premier League these days – and Ten Hag will have to tot up a good points tally from the five matches prior to welcoming City to Old Trafford next month. Arsenal have an especially tough sequence, on paper, between now and November with Tottenham, City and Chelsea to come. City will visit Arsenal and United in that time, while Saudi-backed Newcastle appear to have the most favourable run.
Arsenal
Sunday, September 17 vs Everton (A) at 4.30pm
Sunday, September 24 vs Tottenham (H) at 2pm
Saturday, September 30 vs Bournemouth (A) at 3pm
Sunday, October 8 vs Man City (H) at 4.30pm
Saturday, October 21 vs Chelsea (A) at 5.30pm
Saturday, October 28 vs Sheffield United (H) at 3pm
Chelsea
Sunday, September 17 vs Bournemouth (A) at 2pm
Sunday, September 24 vs Aston Villa (H) at 2pm
Monday, October 2 vs Fulham (A) at 8pm
Saturday, October 7 vs Burnley (A) at 3pm
Saturday, October 21 vs Arsenal (H) at 5.30pm
Saturday, October 28 vs Brentford (H) at 12.30pm
Liverpool
Saturday, September 16 vs Wolves (A) at 12.30pm
Sunday, September 24 vs West Ham (H) at 2pm
Saturday, September 30 vs Tottenham (A) at 5.30pm
Sunday, October 8 vs Brighton (A) at 2pm
Saturday, October 21 vs Everton (H) at 12.30pm
Sunday, October 29 vs Nott’m Forest (H) at 2pm
Man City
Saturday, September 16 vs West Ham (A) at 3pm
Saturday, September 23 vs Nott’m Forest (H) at 3pm
Saturday, September 30 vs Wolves (A) at 3pm
Sunday, October 8 vs Arsenal (A) at 4.30pm
Saturday, October 21 vs Brighton (H) at 3pm
Sunday, October 29 vs Manchester United (A) at 3.30pm
Newcastle
Saturday, September 16 vs Brentford (H) at 5.30pm
Sunday, September 24 vs Sheffield United (A) at 4.30pm
Saturday, September 30 vs Burnley (H) at 3pm
Sunday, October 8 vs West Ham (A) at 2pm
Saturday, October 21 vs Crystal Palace (H) at 3pm
Saturday, October 28 vs Wolves (A) at 5.30pm
Tottenham
Saturday, September 16 vs Sheffield United (H) at 3pm
Sunday, September 24 vs Arsenal (A) at 2pm
Saturday, September 30 vs Liverpool (H) at 5.30pm
Saturday, October 7 vs Luton Town (A) at 12.30pm
Monday, October 23 vs Fulham (H) at 8pm
Friday, October 27 vs Crystal Palace (A) at 8pm
