5 Must-Win Games for Manchester United That Could Secure the League Title

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Some would have you believe that Manchester United have already done enough to claim Premier League glory this season.

However, fans of the club will remain wary until the famous trophy is lifted by captain Nemanja Vidic.

Memories of last season's collapse late in the day will remain strong, their legacy pushing the Red Devils to avoid such moments of complacency this time around.

Should United win the following five games, nothing—not even Roberto Mancini and his blue brigade—can stop Old Trafford celebrating come May.

Manchester City (H), April 8

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Current EPL Standing: 2nd

Form Guide: LWWWW

Key Player: Carlos Tevez

 

First up is the Manchester derby, a game that could go a long way to deciding the title race by itself.

The Citizens will travel to Old Trafford desperate for revenge following Robin van Persie's late winner in the reverse fixture last year.

Roberto Mancini's side have been in excellent form of late, disposing of Leeds United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Barnsley with relative ease.

Expect them to come at United with everything they've got when the two sides meet. 

Stoke City (A), April 14

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Current EPL Standing: 11th

Form Guide: LWLLL

Key Player: Ryan Shawcross

 

Encounters with Stoke City are renowned for being physical to say the least.

Tony Pulis' team of bruisers have the muscle to potentially bog the Red Devils down in the middle of the park. With that being said, Sir Alex Ferguson's side has quite a good record against the Potters in recent games.

Former United youth graduate Ryan Shawcross will be keen to put in a rousing display in central defence against his old team. 

Arsenal (A), April 28

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Current EPL Standing: 5th

Form Guide: WLLWL

Key Player: Jack Wilshere

 

Though Arsenal are far from being one of the most consistent teams in the Premier League at present, the Gunners are capable of pulling what would be a relative shock at the Emirates when United visit in late April.

Arsene Wenger's side will have to up their game during the tail end of the season to earn one of the league's four Champions League places.

Expect Jack Wilshere to give United plenty of trouble in a potentially fascinating midfield battle with fellow England prodigy Tom Cleverley.

Most of the spotlight will be on Robin van Persie's return to his former home ground, though. 

Chelsea (H), May 4

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Current EPL Standing: 4th

Form Guide: LWWLD

Key Player: Juan Mata

 

Clashes between Manchester United and Chelsea this season have been action-packed to say the least.

Their first meeting ended with a late Chicharito strike claiming a 3-2 win for the Red Devils, while more recent League Cup and FA Cup games have finished 5-4 to the Blues and 2-2 respectively.

Juan Mata has been the star of the show for the Blues for much of the season, and is surely his side's danger man.

Fans will expect another thriller for their final meeting of the season—a Premier League showdown at Old Trafford in early May. 

West Brom (A), May 19

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Current EPL Standing: 8th

Form Guide: LWWLW

Key Player: Romelu Lukaku

 

Though West Brom shouldn't prove the trickiest of opposition, they are the Red Devils' final opponents of the season, and possibly their most important.

The Baggies have been one of the surprise packages of the season, led by the collected Steve Clarke.

Should Manchester City be within three points of United come the final day, expect jitters aplenty at the Hawthorns.

United fans will just be hoping it doesn't come to that.

 

Do you foresee any potential slip-ups for United in the next few months?

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