After playing out eight games across February, overseeing six wins, two draws and picking up the Carabao Cup trophy, Manchester United now move on to an equally important month with six fixtures in March.
Manchester United 3 – 1 West Ham: Wednesday, March 1 – FA Cup
United’s month began yesterday when taking on the Irons in a fifth-round FA Cup tie. West Ham opened the scoring against a heavily rotated United side, which was a surprise as Erik ten Hag has shown he is not one for change.
The vastly different starting line-up struggled to create much attacking threat on the pitch, with the opponents eventually taking the lead through Said Benrahma.
It was only when Ten Hag made substitutes that the team began to take shape again and, of course, the game changed as soon as Casemiro entered the field. A late comeback saw the Reds net three goals in 18 minutes to book their place in the quarter-finals.
Liverpool vs United: Sunday, March 5 – Premier League. KO 4.30 pm.
One of the most exciting but also nerve-wracking matches of the season – a trip to Merseyside to face longtime rivals, Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have been dire this season; out of both cup competitions, 5-2 down on aggregate in the Champions League Round of 16 and, despite just moving up to sixth place in the league, they’ve spent the majority of the season in the middle of the table.
Still, without throwing around too many football cliches, form does indeed go out the window in these games. The chance to complete a league double against them at their own ground is one that the players simply cannot pass up on.
The reverse clash, a 2-1 win at Old Trafford, was seen as the turning point in United’s season.
United vs Real Betis: Europa League (H: March 9 & A: March 16)
The Europa League Round of 16 kicks off next week. The Reds booked their place in the next round after a triumphant 4-3 win over Barcelona across a two-legged tie, that provided one of the most emphatic atmospheres at the Theatre of Dreams for a long, long time.
Real Betis currently sit fifth in La Liga and take on Real Madrid this Sunday, March 5, so it may be worth keeping an eye on the game to see how they fair against the reigning European champions.
United vs Southampton: Sunday, March 12 – Premier League. KO 2 pm
This match should be a comfortable win and nothing less for United. The Saints have been in dismal form; they sit rock bottom of the league and were knocked out of the FA Cup by League Two Grimsby Town last night.
United vs Fulham: Saturday, March 19 – FA Cup quarter-finals
Yet another home cup tie awaits Ten Hag’s side, and again one that should be a comfortable win.
United left it late to get the win in their only meeting with Fulham this season, back in November, it was Alejandro Garnacho who netted an injury-time goal to secure the three points at Craven Cottage.
Fulham have been impressive under Marco Silva in their return to the top flight this campaign. Currently, they are seventh in the league.
United vs Brighton: Sunday, March 19 – Premier League / POSTPONED
An away trip to the Amex to face Brighton has been postponed due to both sides’ FA Cup progression.
