United next ten fixtures could spell end for under-pressure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Manchester United's next ten fixtures could be crucial in determining the future of under pressure manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Norwegian is feeling the heat at Old Trafford after a run of results that has seen the Red Devils fail to win in four of their last six matches.
This includes a league loss to Aston Villa, a Champions League defeat to Swiss champions Young Boys, being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by West Ham United and a draw with Everton at the weekend.
Despite the mounting pressure, Solskjaer's assistant was handed a contract extension through to 2024 this week.
Although, Phelan's new contract would suggest that Solskjaer maintains the backing of the board, he has faced criticism in recent weeks.
He especially came in for criticism for leaving Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for Saturday's clash with Everton despite the Portugal striker having scored five in five since returning to the club.
Solskjaer will need to end the current stuttering form of his side after the international break as United prepare for a daunting run of fixtures in the league and Europe.
Next up for United is a trip to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City, who won twice and drew once in their three meetings with United last season.
This will give the FA Cup winners confidence ahead of the match despite their slow start to the new season.
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United follow this with a home match against Italian side Atalanta in the Champions League, with the Serie A outfit currently top of the group without defeat.
This is followed by a home match with rivals Liverpool on October 24, an opponent that the Red Devils have beaten just once in their last seven meetings.
Six days later, United travel to London to face Tottenham Hotspur before the return fixture against Atalanta, which could represent the return of Marcus Rashford.
The England winger is yet to play so far this season having undergone shoulder surgery following the Euros in the summer.
On November 6, United host Manchester City at Old Trafford with their Manchester rivals looking like title favourites at present.
However, Solskjaer will be buoyed by the fact that United have won three of the last five Manchester derbies.
After the November international break, United have what is on paper the easiest of their 10 matches when they face Watford away from home.
The newly promoted Hornets have only won two of their first seven matches and sacked manager Xisco Munoz on Sunday, with him being replaced by Claudio Ranieri.
A trip to Villarreal then follows on November 23, with the Spanish side having caused United problems in their first meeting last week.
A stoppage time winner from Ronaldo was required to snatch a comeback victory at Old Trafford and Villarreal also beat United in last season's Europa League final.
United close out November with a trip to Chelsea, who they drew 0-0 with twice last season, and a home match with Arsenal.
The Gunners won at Old Trafford for the first time since 2006 last season and have not lost to United since January 2019.
The results of these 10 matches will go a long way to determining Solskjaer's future and where United will end up this season with a string of crucial matches in the title race and the fate of their European campaign.
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