Manchester United: 10 Days That May Define A Season
By Damian Smith
Monday night Liverpool will host Manchester United under the floodlights at Anfield. Meetings between the two fierce rivals usually result in fireworks on the pitch, and sometimes off the pitch too.
The International break is over. Manchester United now must focus on a huge ten days that may well define their season.
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And old foe to get things started
We begin with a trip to Anfield on for some Monday Night Football. (Yep, apparently that’s still a thing that happens in the Premier League).
This will be a difficult test for Jose Mourinho’s men. Jurgen Klopp is starting to get the best out of his Liverpool side. Currently sitting pretty in fourth place in the League having only lost one game thus far.
Playing this match at night will only add to the intensity from players and fans alike. There really is nothing like a big game under the floodlights. If we are honest, Manchester United have been sorely missing such occasions being out of the Champions League.
It does raise a concern over the fans. Most rival game such as these normally fall in to the “early kickoff” category for policing and safety reasons. Most recently in their EUROPA league clash last season last March there were several clashes
It is certainly a brave/naive move by the Merseyside Police. Hopefully the tie is remembered for the football, not crowd trouble.
Old Trafford’s floodlights get a turn
Three days later and Manchester United welcome Fenerbahce to Old Trafford for the EUROPA League. While the Red Devils aren’t in the Champions League, it is a European night game that the players will want to win.
When it comes to the manager though, I don’t think it is at the top of his priorities. Do not be surprised if Jose Mourinho rests five or six of his usual starters.
Captain Wayne Rooney will most likely get a start and will be trying to win his place back. That alone may be worth the price of admission.
The Special One returns to the bridge
On that Sunday Manchester United head to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea. We all know Jose Mourinho’s second stint in charge ended very badly there last season.
But seeing Antonio Conte sitting in his chair will certainly get the new United manager riled up. It’s like seeing your ex with the new person they are dating. You can bet Mourinho will want to show Roman Abramovic hthat his new Bae, is younger and sexier, that he’s moved to better things.
Revenge is a dish best served piping hot
Manchester United finish this hellish ten day spell with an EFL clash at Old Trafford. Sounds basic and simple enough right? Except for the small detail that it is Manchester City that are coming to visit.
Pep Guardiola took first blood with the 2-1 win in their previous meeting. The EFL Cup is not a top priority for either manager. But you have to believe Jose Mourinho wants the win more. to fall to 0-2 in their own private competition will not be a situation he will enjoy.
It might be a bit much to hope for four wins from these games. I will happily take two wins, a draw and a loss. Winning the two Premier League games must come first. A draw with Fenerbahce will be an acceptable result considering the fixtures surrounding it.
Losing to Manchester City is never enjoyable, but as the season progresses, the EFL Cup will be more in the way than anything else.
Beating Chelsea will be the Managers to priority
Absolutely. I am not saying Jose Mourinho will de-value the importance of the Liverpool game, a European game or a local derby in the cup. But it does not take a genius to know beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge will be his Holy Grail.
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His fall from grace at Chelsea was fast, brutal and public. He will be out to prove a point and demand the best from his players.