5 Key Remaining Fixtures in Manchester United's Premier League Title Quest
Louis van Gaal used Manchester United's victory to suggest his side could still win this season's Premier League title. In order to make his suggestion come true, he will need his team to be at its best in a number of key fixtures. We take a look at the games to come and pick out some crunch encounters.
In truth, Van Gaal was not excessively bullish about United's chances saying, per BBC Sport, "The gap is seven points. We can overcome that so that's what I'm thinking about." It is a reasonable assertion, although two wins in the past nine games is hardly championship form.
However, it has been a topsy-turvy season, and no team has looked nailed on for the title. As Van Gaal himself pointed out on Saturday, again per the BBC, "Today is very important because our competitors have lost points." He will need them to continue to do so, and games against those competitors are included in the five matches discussed.
What better way to ensure your competitors drop points than by beating them yourselves?
Of course, it is not just the so-called big games that will be crucial. United's failings this season have been most obvious against the division's less storied names, but the opportunity to beat title rivals is currently the most precious. There are other important games not listed here—indeed, given the points gap, essentially all of the games remaining have at least some importance.
January 23: Southampton at Old Trafford
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The next game is always the most important.
While this list inherently focuses on challenges that are further ahead, United are desperately in need of some momentum in the here and now.
The win over Liverpool was huge, as wins over Liverpool always are for United, but if the Red Devils want anything more to show for it than bragging rights, they have to beat Southampton on Saturday.
Doing so will not be easy. Indeed, Ronald Koeman got one over on his old rival last season by winning the Old Trafford leg of the league clashes between the two teams. Both last season and this, it was Van Gaal who emerged victorious at St. Mary's Stadium, and Koeman will want to right last season's wrong.
Southampton have shown flashes of brilliance this season—their 4-0 win over Arsenal on Boxing Day being a notable example. They are also coming off the back of two comfortable home wins. Their away form, though, is much less impressive. They are sixth in the league for home form, but 13th away, with their last away win coming at Sunderland on November 7.
United should thus be able to take heart. Their own inconsistency means it is no sure thing, though, and the current circumstances mean that a win is vital. Lose, and the knives will once again be out for Van Gaal.
February 28: Arsenal at Old Trafford
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This season has featured plenty of low points for United—the 0-0 draw with PSV Eindhoven at Old Trafford, the away defeat to Bournemouth, the home loss to Norwich City and the dismal Boxing Day trip to Stoke.
None of those, though, have felt quite as low as the opening 20 minutes of the Red Devils' 3-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates on October 4.
Back in those heady days, United had been on a four-game winning run, and looked in contention to make a real impact on the title race. Top four was being taken for granted, certainly.
The wheels came off in spectacular fashion. Amateur tacticians the world over were baffled by Wayne Rooney's lack of pressing and Bastian Schweinsteiger's positional indiscipline.
"This is not how you beat Arsenal," thought United fans to themselves, having seen time and again how you do. Once great rivals, the last years of Sir Alex Ferguson's reign got to the point where Arsenal were seen as a guaranteed six points a season.
Welcomed into vast swathes of space between the half-way line and the box, the Gunners' talented attacking midfielders filled their boots and United's resistance was smashed apart. 3-0 down after 19 minutes, the tie was all but over.
If Van Gaal is serious about his side winning the league, beating Arsenal at Old Trafford is a must. It will be three points United need and three points they can starve Arsenal of. It would also mark his first Old Trafford win over Arsene Wenger at what will be the third time of asking.
March 19: Manchester City at the Etihad
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Even as Manchester City have won two of the past four league titles and are firmly established at the top table of the Premier League elite, it still takes a bit of getting used to to consider the Manchester derby one of the most crucial fixtures of the season.
It was always important, of course, but United were expected to win. Bragging rights were all that was at stake.
Not so anymore. City have become, like it or not, a big scalp for United. Last season's Old Trafford encounter saw the visitors blown away by a rare brilliant outing for Van Gaal's men. At the Etihad, though, City have won three of the last four, losing only to a Robin van Persie winner during Sir Alex's final season.
Under David Moyes, United put up no resistance at the Etihad and were demolished 4-1. Van Gaal's side fared a little better, particularly during a spirited second half spell when they were reduced to 10 men, but still lost.
Like Arsenal, City are a side United need to take points off as they look to make up a gap. Like Arsenal, City are a side very clearly capable of beating United. No league game can be called a must-win clash with so many left to go in the season, but a win at the Etihad would make a very big difference.
April 9: Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane
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It will be fascinating to see where Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are in the league by April 9.
Will this be a top-of-the-table clash by then? Will it be a crucial tie in the battle for fourth place? Either seems possible, the latter seems more likely. But if United have pretensions at league-title glory, this is likely to be a game of great significance.
Tottenham vs. Manchester United is an English footballing classic, with both teams renowned for their attacking approach to the game. Of course, with Van Gaal at the helm, United have moved a long way from their gung-ho best. The same cannot be said for Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs, a likeable and energetic young attacking side.
United earned a narrow win over Tottenham on the opening day of this season. That seems like a long time ago now and will be a distant memory by April 9. There will be just five games left to go by the time this one rolls around, and United are likely to need the win.
30 April: Leicester City at Old Trafford
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Remarkably, this could be a top-of-the-table clash, too. Leicester City are—without any doubt—this season's most remarkable story
They are missing out on top spot in the Premier League on goal difference. A time traveller from as recent a moment in history as last summer would find that to be a shocking turn of events. The football world presumably continues to expect the wheels to come off. The wheels still have not come off.
Admittedly, their form has taken a dip of late, but they still managed a crucial win at White Hart Lane.
United gave plenty of respect to Claudio Ranieri's men when they met at the King Power Stadium, switching to a back three to cope with Jamie Vardy; though, he still managed a record-breaking goal in that game.
Even if Leicester have slipped down the table by this point, it will still be a crucial game for United, with only a trip to Norwich and a home tie against Bournemouth left before season's end.
Both managers will be hoping there is plenty left to play for by the time this game arrives. If there is, it could be a cracker.
Custom table data courtesy of Statto.com.
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