United Beyond Manchester

At the current pace, Manchester United would end the season with 44 points, 14 worse than the record 2021/2022 season, where the Reds finished with 58 points. Despite the current backing that the manager has, if United continues at this pace, they will have to make a change.

There are seven matches between the October and November international breaks. These seven will be what decide the fate of Erik Ten Hag.

Four of the seven fateful games are in the Premier League. Three are at home, as United will host Brentford, Chelsea, and Leicester City. The lone away match will be at the London Stadium against West Ham.

Two matches will be in the Europa League against Fenerbahçe and PAOK, while the Reds host Leicester City again in the last contest before the November break.

Vs Brentford – October 19

Brentford have scored in the opening minute in three straight league games. If this incredible record continues at Old Trafford, the match could be over in the blink of an eye, as United have only one draw and no wins from losing positions this season (at Porto).

At Fenerbahçe – October 24

After Brentford, Erik Ten Hag will take his team to Fenerbahçe to face former manager Jose Mourinho’s team. Ten Hag will need a solid game plan to face off with the Portuguese manager, who will no doubt be out for vengeance against his former club.

At West Ham – October 27

West Ham have fallen to Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Chelsea at home already, showing visiting clubs that they are vulnerable at home. If the Reds start fast, United could take this early, as the Hammers conceded in the first ten minutes in each of those losses.

Vs Leicester City – October 30 & November 10

United will have two cracks at Leicester City, who are the only team below 14th that the Reds face in this stretch. While they have conceded twelve times in the league, the Foxes also have scored four more than the sputtering Manchester United attack so far this season.

Vs Chelsea – November 3

Chelsea, who already sit six points ahead of the Reds, are a surprise in the early season. Enzo Maresca’s team has played well and scored plenty of goals. This contest will be particularly telling, as the Blues have been in a similar position as United the past few seasons.

Vs PAOK – November 7

PAOK currently sits first in the Super League Greece, ahead of powerhouses Olympiakos and AEK Athens. This will be no walk in the park at Old Trafford, especially with how the visit from Twente went.

Erik Ten Hag’s next seven matches are critical for him and the club. He was to be the man to bring United back, but will he instead be the man to lead the club to new lows?