Manchester United took a big step towards securing Champions League football for next season after sealing a 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
The Reds grabbed a 1-0 win over Villa at Old Trafford thanks to Bruno Fernandes' 39th-minute goal. With United now sitting just two points behind third-placed Newcastle with a game in hand, Erik ten Hag's men will be confident about securing a top-four finish this term.
Ten Hag's side travel to the Amex Stadium to take on Brighton on Thursday night, with United having just six league games left in the 2022/23 campaign. They also have an FA Cup final against Manchester City to look forward to on June 3.
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As the race to finish inside the top four continues to intensify, MEN Sport has taken a close look at United's next six fixtures and compared them with those of their rivals.
Manchester United - 4th (63pts)
- Brighton & Hove Albion (A) - May 4
- West Ham United (A) - May 7
- Wolves (H) - May 13
- Bournemouth (A) - May 20
- Chelsea (H) - May 25
- Fulham (H) - May 28
Verdict: Having overcome a different top-four challenger in Aston Villa, United will be desperate to go to Brighton and get three points. If Ten Hag's side can win at the Amex, they will take a big step towards securing Champions League qualification for next season. Although a point would not be a bad result, they could do with all three as they chase down Newcastle. The game against West Ham, Wolves and Bournemouth will all be challenging - for different reasons - but the Reds will fancy their chances in those matches.
Chelsea have been in poor form in recent weeks, however, they are likely to give the Reds a decent game at Old Trafford. It is typically a good match when they meet, even if the London club will have very little to play for in late May. United end their campaign at home to Fulham, but they will be hoping third or fourth place is already secured by that point.
Newcastle United - 3rd (65pts)
- Arsenal (H) - May 7
- Leeds United (A) - May 13
- Brighton & Hove Albion (H) - May 18
- Leicester City (H) - May 22
- Chelsea (A) - May 28
Liverpool - 5th (56pts)
- Fulham (H) - May 3
- Brentford (H) - May 6
- Leicester City (A) - May 15
- Aston Villa (H) - May 20
- Southampton (A) - May 28
Tottenham Hotspur - 6th (54pts)
- Crystal Palace (H) - May 6
- Aston Villa (A) - May 13
- Brentford (H) - May 20
- Leeds United (A) - May 28
Aston Villa - 7th (54pts)
- Wolves (A) - May 6
- Tottenham Hotspur (H) - May 13
- Liverpool (A) - May 20
- Brighton & Hove Albion (H) - May 28
Brighton - 8th (52 pts)
- Manchester United (H) - May 4
- Evertpn (H) - May 8
- Arsenal (A) - May 14
- Newcastle (A) - May 18
- Southampton (H) - May 21
- Manchester City (H) - May 24
- Aston Villa (A) - May 28
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