Honestly, following Manchester United right now feels like a full-time job. One week we’re losing to Brighton at home in the FA Cup, and the next, Michael Carrick—freshly installed as interim boss—is masterminding a 2-0 demolition of Manchester City. If you’re looking at the upcoming Manchester United fixtures and trying to make sense of the chaos, you aren't alone. Between rearranged TV slots, the fallout from a managerial change, and players trickling back from international duty, the calendar is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle.
The win against City on January 17 was a massive statement. Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu looked like different players under Carrick's early influence. But the schedule doesn't care about momentum; it just keeps coming. If you're planning your weekends for the next two months, there are some weird kick-off times and venue changes you definitely need to know about.
The January Gauntlet: Arsenal and the Aftermath
January is winding down, but the biggest test is still on the horizon. After the high of the derby, United have to travel to the Emirates.
Arsenal vs Manchester United is set for Sunday, January 25, at 11:30 AM EST (4:30 PM local time). It’s always a cagey affair in North London. Last time these two met on the opening day of the 2025/26 season, it was a razor-thin margin. Arsenal are currently leading the pack at the top of the table, and with United sitting around 7th, this is basically a must-win to stay in the hunt for those Champions League spots.
The squad depth is finally looking a bit better. Noussair Mazraoui should be back by then. He’s been busy with Morocco’s deep run in the Africa Cup of Nations, but with the final taking place on January 18, he’ll have a week to recover and rejoin the group.
Then we hit February.
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February’s Rollercoaster: Spurs, West Ham, and Sunday Shifts
February looks busy. Very busy.
- Fulham (H): Sunday, February 1. 9:00 AM EST. Old Trafford.
- Tottenham Hotspur (H): Saturday, February 7. 7:30 AM EST. Old Trafford.
- West Ham United (A): Tuesday, February 10. 3:15 PM EST. London Stadium.
- Everton (A): Monday, February 23. 3:00 PM EST. Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Wait, did you notice the gap? Between West Ham on the 10th and Everton on the 23rd, there’s a nearly two-week break in Premier League action. This is where things get "kinda" complicated.
Because Crystal Palace is involved in the UEFA Conference League knockout playoffs, the upcoming Manchester United fixtures had to be shuffled. The game against Everton is now a Monday night special on February 23. If you were planning a Saturday trip to Liverpool for that one, you’ll need to clear your Monday evening instead.
Everton at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium is going to be a bear. It's a tight ground, and the atmosphere for a Monday night game under the lights is usually hostile, to say the least. Carrick will need Harry Maguire fully fit for that one—thankfully, he’s back in the mix after his hamstring issues.
That Crystal Palace Reschedule Everyone Missed
This is the one that’s tripping people up. Originally, United were supposed to play Crystal Palace on the final Saturday of February.
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It’s moved.
Because Palace has those European ties on February 19 and 26, the Premier League has pushed the match at Old Trafford to Sunday, March 1. Kick-off is 2:00 PM GMT (9:00 AM EST). Sky Sports has already picked it up for live broadcast in the UK.
Looking Toward March: The St. James’ Park Trip
March starts with a literal bang. On Wednesday, March 4, United head north to face Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.
Midweek games in Newcastle are legendary for being loud, cold, and generally miserable for away teams. Newcastle is currently sitting right next to United in the table (6th vs 7th), making this a direct "six-pointer" for European qualification.
After that, the schedule settles into a slightly more "normal" rhythm:
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- Aston Villa (H): March 14 at 8:00 AM EST.
- Bournemouth (A): March 21 at 8:00 AM EST.
The Villa game is particularly interesting. Unai Emery’s side has been remarkably consistent this season, sitting comfortably in 3rd. If United hasn't found a permanent replacement for the interim setup by mid-March, this game will be a massive tactical test for Carrick against one of the best "system" coaches in the world.
The Injury Factor: Who’s Actually Playing?
You can’t talk about upcoming Manchester United fixtures without talking about the medical room. It’s been a revolving door lately.
Matthijs de Ligt is the big question mark. He’s missed nearly ten matches with a lower back issue. While he’s started "light individual work," Carrick has been pretty vague about a return date, only saying he hopes to have the Dutchman back "soon." In the meantime, the burden falls on Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martínez.
Then there’s the Joshua Zirkzee situation. He missed the City win with a "knock," but the rumors about a January move to Roma won’t go away. If he leaves, and with Rasmus Højlund’s form being up and down, United might be lean up front heading into that heavy February schedule.
On the bright side? Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo are back from AFCON and already look sharp. Mbeumo’s goal against City proved he’s ready to carry the creative load. Also, keep an eye on young Shea Lacey. He’s currently serving a suspension after a red card against Brighton in the FA Cup, but once he’s back, he’s exactly the kind of spark Carrick seems to like.
Practical Steps for Fans
If you're tracking these matches, don't just rely on the static calendars printed at the start of the season. Between the "Eagles" (Palace) playing in Europe and the TV picks for April yet to be finalized, things will change again.
- Sync your digital calendar: The Premier League's official digital calendar updates automatically when matches are moved for TV.
- Watch the UEFA results: If Palace or other opponents progress further in Europe, your late-season Sunday games might shift to Monday or even be postponed.
- Check the 3:00 PM blackout: If you’re in the UK, remember that the Fulham (Feb 1) and Palace (March 1) games are now televised, but others might still fall under the traditional blackout.
The path to the end of the season is cluttered with high-stakes games against Top 4 rivals. Every point from these upcoming Manchester United fixtures is basically gold as the team tries to salvage a Champions League spot from a truly chaotic year. Keep an eye on the official site for ticket ballot deadlines, as the demand for the Spurs and Villa home games is expected to be through the roof given the recent derby win.