Manchester United more than most clubs will be looking down at their fixture schedule and circling specific dates where their campaign could be won or lost.
Although the season has not yet entered into its sprint phase, United are already playing catch up with the front runners.
Damming losses at home to Liverpool and Manchester City have put a pin in any Premier League title ambitions for now.
They are still in the Champions League, but only by the skin of Cristiano Ronaldo’s shiny white teeth.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has virtually no wiggle room for era anymore, otherwise, it will be his head on the chopping block.
After the international break concludes, the Red Devils must rediscover their form if they are to avoid total capitulation.
Here are five matches we believe could define United’s turbulent term:
Villarreal (A) – 23rd November
The second game back for Solskjaer’s side following the break for national team action and what a big one it is.
United and Villarreal are currently level on points in their European group, both on seven.
A tricky trip to Spain awaits the inconsistent English outfit, with huge ramifications on the line for both clubs.
If United win, they will take a huge step towards qualification to the knockout stages.
Lose and Atalanta beat Young Boys, then they will drop down to third place.
This means reaching the knockout stages would require beating Young Boys and hoping Villarreal overcome Atalanta.
An awful scenario to be in unless they can triumph over the Spaniards.
Chelsea (A) – 28th November
Just five days after the Villareal clash, United travel to the ground of the league leaders.
Solskjaer has already lost to the other title contenders – Liverpool and City – whilst only just scrapped past fellow high-flyers, West Ham United.
Chelsea arguably act as the Norwegian’s biggest test.
Thomas Tuchel’s men continue to churn out results and look like a squad destined for silverware.
Something that cannot be said for their soon-to-be guests at Stamford Bridge.
Fail to beat the Blues and Solskjaer surely will be out the exit door.
West Ham United (H) – 22nd January
January is always viewed as the month where the stars start to align and things begin to take shape.
West Ham United’s visit to The Theatre of Dreams is – on paper- United’s first real domestic test of 2022.
They face Wolverhampton Wanderers on the 3rd and Steven Gerrard’s newly acquired Aston Villa, but the Hammers should be a much steelier opponent.
David Moyes will want to get one over his former employers, especially after the manner they dropped points against the Reds earlier in the season.
United meanwhile must look to repeat their late smash and grab they managed at the London Stadium.
Manchester City (A) – 5th March
Any Manchester derby is meaningful, yet this particular one might carry even more magnitude.
By this stage in the year, positions in the table should be settling into their seats for the remainder of the show.
City will be hoping they are at the summit of the division by this point, peering down on their whimpering neighbours.
United may need to cause an upset at the Etihad to disrupt Pep Guardiola’s flow and gift the league’s supremacy to someone else.
Liverpool (A) – 19th March
Revenge can be the only thing on Solskjaer’s mind when – or if – he steps into the Anfield dressing room.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds ruined a Sunday afternoon for so many United supporters when they put five past David De Gea last month.
Like City, Liverpool should still be sniffing around top spot come March time.
United might need to put their nose out of joint for old times sake.
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