This international break may feel like it’s going on longer, with Manchester United not playing again until Tuesday 1 April, but there are reasons to be optimistic when the Reds return to action.
With the Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals taking place this weekend, we have to wait until the trip to high-flying Nottingham Forest before seeing Ruben Amorim’s men bid to follow up the win over Leicester City with another three points in the East Midlands.
Opta have pointed out that United are actually unbeaten in our last six outings on the back of an international break.
So we decided to take a quick look at those matches…
17 Nov 2024: Ipswich (A) 1-1 (Rashford)
Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge got off to the perfect start when Amad set up Marcus Rashford for a second-minute opener. Kieran McKenna’s Town replied through Omari Hutchinson and we had to settle for a point, while also being indebted to Andre Onana for a couple of top-class saves at Portman Road.
13 Oct 2024: Brentford (H) 2-1 (Garnacho, Hojlund)
The Bees led at the interval, courtesy of Ethan Pinnock’s effort deep into first-half stoppage time. The response was swift following the restart, with Alejandro Garnacho volleying a Rashford pass past Mark Flekken. A superb flicked assist by captain Bruno Fernandes then allowed Rasmus Hojlund to display a calm head in front of goal, as we took the three points.
10 Sep 2024: Southampton (A) 3-0 (De Ligt, Rashford, Garnacho)
An impressive performance on the road yielded a comfortable victory on the south coast. Again, Onana was called upon in a big moment, keeping out a Cameron Archer penalty and it proved pivotal as Matthijs de Ligt plundered his first goal for the club. Rashford’s accurate finish doubled the lead and, after Jack Stephens was sent off for the Saints, Garnacho added a pleasing late third by ramming a Diogo Dalot centre into the roof of the net.
26 Mar 2024: Brentford (A) 1-1 (Mount)
This looked to be a classic smash-and-grab raid with Erik ten Hag’s side weathering the storm against the Londoners, only to nab a goal through Mason Mount, set up by Casemiro, six minutes into injury time. Remarkably, play continued for another three minutes and the Bees found a goal their performance admittedly deserved, when Kristoffer Ajer profited from some impressive approach work by Ivan Toney.
20 Nov 2023: Everton (A) 3-0 (Garnacho, Rashford, Martial)
A game that will forever be remembered for the sensational overhead kick by Garnacho, that won him the Puskas Award in 2024. The Argentina international appears to have an excellent record in these games after international breaks, as does Rashford, with the England forward, currently on loan at Aston Villa, making it 2-0. The homegrown attacker was handed the ball by Fernandes to convert a penalty past Jordan Pickford and Anthony Martial added a third with a dinked finish, applied to a Fernandes through ball.
17 Oct 2023: Sheffield United (A) 2-1 (McTominay, Dalot)
On a day overshadowed by the news of the sad passing of club legend Sir Bobby Charlton, United secured a hard-fought victory at Bramall Lane. Scott McTominay opened the scoring but was guilty of a handball inside his own box that allowed Oliver McBurnie to level from the spot. After Sofyan Amrabat rattled the woodwork, it was left to Dalot to come up trumps, with 13 minutes left, smashing a long-ranger that Sir Bobby would have been proud of.
United’s seven games in April
After a spell of inactivity, Manchester United’s schedule springs back into life as soon as we hit April.
Tuesday’s Premier League game against Nottingham Forest on the opening day of the month is the first of seven fixtures facing Ruben Amorim’s men across April, with challenges facing the team at home and abroad.
Of course, the two-legged Europa League quarter-final with French side Lyon is of vital importance, in addition to the league matches on the agenda. There is plenty to look forward to, including the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, as the domestic game returns with a vengeance.
Check out our brief match-by-match guide…
Tue 1 Apr: Nottingham Forest (A) 20:00 BST
After what feels like an eternity, United are finally back in action when taking on third-placed Nottingham Forest at The City Ground. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have enjoyed a fabulous campaign and will be tough opponents, after winning 3-2 at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture.
Leading scorer Chris Wood has been flagged as a doubt after picking up an injury while on international duty with New Zealand, while former Red Anthony Elanga scored for Sweden against Northern Ireland and is likely to be a handful.
Sun 6 Apr: Manchester City (H) 16:30 BST
The Manchester derby always needs little introduction and the Reds are chasing a double over the current champions, following the thrilling 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium in December.
Pep Guardiola’s team have experienced a difficult season but are still competing for the Emirates FA Cup, facing Bournemouth this weekend in the quarter-finals. The Blues currently sit in sixth place and there is every incentive for United to upset their bid for Champions League football next term.
Thu 10 Apr: Lyon (A) 20:00 BST
The first leg of the last-eight tie with the French side, in the Europa League, is another big test. The competition represents a chance to gain access to the 2025/26 Champions League and our reward for seeing off Real Sociedad is a match-up with a team currently placed fifth in Ligue 1.
Lyon have some real talent on their books, including France Under-21s sensation Rayan Cherki, but forward Malick Fofana could miss this tie after being injured while on international duty with Belgium. Ex-Red Nemanja Matic is part of the midfield and he will be relishing the chance to come up against his old club.
Sun 13 Apr: Newcastle United (A) 16:30 BST
Hot on the heels of the trip to France is a journey to the north east to face the Magpies.
Newcastle are on the crest of a wave after finally ending their long trophy drought by beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, and they are sure to be backed by their passionate support in this Sunday afternoon kick-off. The Reds were very disappointing in the corresponding fixture, losing 2-0, and will be determined to set the record straight on Tyneside.
Thu 17 Apr: Lyon (H) 20:00 BST
This promises to be a big night at Old Trafford, as we look to book a place in the last four of the Europa League.
With the new format, it is already decided that the victors of this tie will meet either Athletic Club or Rangers at the semi-final stage. United emerged victorious from our previous two home games against l’OL, but only by one-goal margins on both occasions, and it could well be tight again.
Sun 20 Apr: Wolves (H) 14:00 BST
The Black Country outfit visit the Theatre of Dreams and will be hoping they are clear of the relegation zone by the time of this fixture.
Wolves won the reverse game, 2-0, when Bruno Fernandes was sent off and Matheus Cunha scored the second goal. The hosts’ key man is currently suspended but should be back for the match in Manchester. It represents our last home clash in April and only two more remain in the Premier League before the season is out.
Sun 27 Apr: Bournemouth (A) 14:00 BST
The game at the Vitality Stadium will need to be rearranged if the Cherries manage to knock Manchester City out of the FA Cup on Sunday and progress to the semi-finals. Whenever it goes ahead, Andoni Iraola’s hosts are certain to pose a stern examination for Amorim’s Reds, as they have been a fabulous attacking team all term.
The south-coast side pulled off a second successive 3-0 Old Trafford win earlier in the campaign and are chasing a spot in European football their performances have arguably deserved. Our last game there finished 2-2, with Bruno Fernandes scoring both of our goals.
