The mood around Old Trafford right now is, frankly, weird. Just a week ago, we were dissecting the tactical rigidness of the Ruben Amorim era, and now? Now we’ve got Michael Carrick back in the dugout, thrust into the hot seat as interim head coach until the end of the season.
It’s a massive pivot.
But if you’re looking at Man Utd upcoming games and thinking the season is a write-off because of the FA Cup exit to Brighton last Sunday, you’re missing the bigger picture. We are currently sitting in 7th, but it's congested. Only one point separates us from 5th-place Brentford. The Champions League race is very much alive.
The Derby and the Immediate Firefight
The schedule doesn't care about a "settling-in" period. Carrick’s first task is the Manchester Derby this Saturday, January 17th.
Pep Guardiola has already been making noise about Erling Haaland being "exhausted" after their recent run, but we’ve heard that before. Honestly, a fatigued Haaland is still more dangerous than most strikers at 100%. For United, the focus is on who is coming back. We’ve seen reports that Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are returning just in time from AFCON duties.
That’s huge.
Carrick needs that pace out wide. Without it, the 4-3-3 he’s likely to favor—moving away from Amorim's back three—could look a bit toothless.
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After City, it doesn’t get any easier. We travel to North London to face league leaders Arsenal on January 25th.
Two games. Two title contenders.
If United can scrape four points from these two, the "Carrick Bounce" will be the only thing anyone talks about in the pubs for a month.
February: The Month of Reckoning
February is usually where United seasons go to live or die. The fixture list for next month is relentless, but there’s a silver lining: a lot of these are "winnable" on paper, though we know how that usually goes.
- Feb 1: Fulham (Home)
- Feb 7: Tottenham (Home) - Note the early 12:30 kickoff for this one.
- Feb 10: West Ham (Away)
- Feb 23: Everton (Away)
- Feb 28: Crystal Palace (Home)
The Tottenham game is the standout. Spurs are always a chaotic 50/50, and with the match being moved for TNT Sports coverage, the atmosphere at Old Trafford will be under the microscope.
The gap between West Ham and Everton is interesting. Since we were knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton (that 2-1 loss still stings, especially after Benjamin Sesko’s late goal gave us false hope), there's a big gap in the middle of the month. While other teams are playing 4th-round ties, Carrick gets a solid week on the training pitch.
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This is where he actually gets to coach.
He needs to fix the defensive lapses that have seen us concede 32 goals in 21 games. Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez are starting to look like a partnership, but they need protection. Whether that's Manuel Ugarte or the veteran Casemiro remains the big debate.
March and the European Question
As we move into March, the intensity shifts. Man Utd upcoming games during this period will likely define whether we’re playing in the Champions League or the Europa League next season.
- March 4: Newcastle (Away)
- March 14: Aston Villa (Home)
- March 21: Bournemouth (Away)
St. James’ Park is never fun. Newcastle are currently tied with us on 32 points, making that Wednesday night clash a literal "six-pointer." Then you’ve got Unai Emery’s Villa coming to town. Villa have been clinical this year, and their high line is exactly the kind of thing Matheus Cunha and Sesko should be able to exploit if our midfield can actually find a forward pass.
Dealing with the Fatigue Factor
Let's talk about the squad. Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount are finally back from their knocks, but they looked leggy in the Brighton game. Carrick has a reputation for being a "player's coach," and he’s going to have to rotate heavily.
We saw Shea Lacey get some minutes recently, and honestly, with the way some of the senior wingers have performed, why not? The kid has no fear.
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One thing people get wrong about United’s current status is the "crisis" narrative. Yes, the coaching change was messy. Yes, the FA Cup exit sucks. But look at the table. We’re three points off 4th-place Liverpool.
One good run in February and the narrative flips entirely.
What You Should Watch For
If you’re heading to the games or watching from home, keep an eye on the transition. Carrick was a master of the "pre-assist"—the pass before the pass. Expect to see United try to control the tempo more rather than just playing on the break.
Key things to track:
- The Senne Lammens Factor: Our young keeper has been solid, but the Derby is a different beast.
- Set Piece Defending: This has been our Achilles' heel all season.
- The Sesko/Cunha Partnership: They have the physical tools; they just need the service.
Practical Steps for Fans:
If you're planning to attend, keep an eye on the March fixtures. TV schedules for March are usually finalized about 6-8 weeks out, so the Villa and Bournemouth dates could still shift by a day.
For those following the race for Europe, watch the Brentford and Newcastle results closely. They are our primary obstacles for that 5th spot, which—thanks to the coefficient—will likely still be enough for Champions League football.
Get your calendars marked for Saturday. The Derby isn't just a game this time; it's the start of Michael Carrick's attempt to save a season that's been teetering on the edge for months.