Premier League Title Race Heats Up: Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea Face Crucial Five-Game Gauntlet
A perfect record of two victories against the Premier League's elite has left Michael Carrick in an ideal position as he begins his second temporary tenure managing Manchester United.
He assumed control following Ruben Amorim's exit with the Red Devils sitting reasonably well in the standings, though statistical analysts still viewed their prospects of securing next season's Champions League qualification as somewhat limited.
Nevertheless, following impressive triumphs over Manchester City and Arsenal, United are now positioned for a push toward the top four or five. They've climbed to fourth place after Liverpool's loss at Bournemouth, and an enthusiastic United support base must now be anticipating that iconic European anthem echoing through the Theatre of Dreams, possibly with Carrick remaining in charge, come next campaign.
Below is an analysis of how Man Utd's upcoming five Premier League matches stack up against two familiar rivals competing for Champions League qualification.
Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea's Next Five Premier League Fixtures
Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea's Next Five Premier League Fixtures
Man Utd (38 points) | Liverpool (36 points) | Chelsea (37 points) |
|---|---|---|
Man Utd vs. Fulham (Feb. 1) | Liverpool vs. Newcastle (Jan. 31) | Chelsea vs. West Ham (Jan. 31) |
Man Utd vs. Tottenham (Feb. 7) | Liverpool vs. Man City (Feb. 8) | Wolves vs. Chelsea (Feb. 7) |
West Ham vs. Man Utd (Feb. 10) | Sunderland vs. Liverpool (Feb. 11) | Chelsea vs. Leeds (Feb. 10) |
Everton vs. Man Utd (Feb. 23) | Nottingham Forest vs. Liverpool (Feb. 21) | Chelsea vs. Burnley (Feb. 21) |
Man Utd vs. Crystal Palace (Mar. 1) | Liverpool vs. West Ham (Feb. 28) | Arsenal vs. Chelsea (Mar. 1) |
Manchester United's condensed schedule is set to intensify during February, beginning the month with three matches across 10 days. Old Trafford will be electric for home encounters against Fulham and the faltering Tottenham Hotspur before Carrick leads his team to the London Stadium against West Ham United following the FA Cup fourth round, from which United are absent.
They'll subsequently seek redemption for their disappointing home loss to Everton on Feb. 23 when the Red Devils make their inaugural visit to the Hill Dickinson stadium. Their March schedule opens with a frustrated Crystal Palace traveling north to Manchester.
Chelsea have secured four victories from five matches under Liam Rosenior across all competitions, positioning themselves for a potential winning streak in the coming weeks. The Blues encounter four teams from the bottom five in their next four fixtures before journeying to league-topping Arsenal at March's beginning.
Conversely, Liverpool face a challenging sequence. Newcastle United might struggle away from home, but Anfield will certainly feel tension during the Magpies' upcoming visit. The champions then welcome title contenders Manchester City the subsequent weekend before traveling to the Stadium of Light midweek.
The relegation-battling Nottingham Forest present another difficult away fixture for Slot's squad before they conclude February hosting West Ham at home.