- Manchester United have seven games left
- Will they achieve a top-five finish?
- Does Bruno Fernandes claim the all-time assist record?
There are seven games remaining for Manchester United and Michael Carrick as they pursue a return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2022/23 season.
Carrick, still in interim charge, enters a defining stretch. Results over the run-in will shape not only United’s European ambitions, but also his own prospects of securing the role on a permanent basis—should he seek it.
With so little margin for error, each fixture now carries significant weight. A slip against a relegation-threatened side could prove costly; equally, a run of draws may quietly derail momentum.
Attention also turns to the battles against Chelsea and Liverpool, two key fixtures in the Champions League race. With that in mind, we assess what lies ahead along with how we predict the table to look after each remaining matchweek.
Manchester United vs Leeds (April 13)
A comfortable 2-0 win with goals from Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro easily sees out a Leeds side facing relegation.
Fernandes increases the hype as well, as his cross to Casemiro earns him his 17th assist of the season. The Portuguese playmaker moves to within three of Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s all-time assist record.
A key fixture that weekend sees Chelsea lose 2-0 to Manchester City. That gives Liam Rosenior’s side a massive setback in the race for Champions League qualification.
Chelsea vs Manchester United (April 18)
A tough 1-1 draw with goals from Cole Palmer and a returning Harry Maguire settles the score at Stamford Bridge. A drawn-out match with neither side deserving the win, and as a result, the Red Devils drop behind Aston Villa in the top-five race.
This game serves as somewhat of a wake-up call that there is still work to do. On the same weekend, Liverpool defeated rivals Everton 3-1, Arsenal beat Manchester City 1-0, and Villa moved third with a 2-0 win over Sunderland.
Manchester United vs Brentford (April 27)
United bounce back to winning ways with a huge 2-0 win against Brentford. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko seal the game. Fernandes comes agonisingly close to a 17th assist, with Sesko being ruled offside.
The win is vital as Chelsea drop points and Everton move level on points with the west Londoners. The Toffees beat West Ham United in a five-game thriller.
Carrick’s men still remain a point behind Villa with four games left. But Champions League qualification is looking all but certain ahead of arguably the biggest game of the season.
Manchester United vs Liverpool (May 3)
This is the big one. A tiresome match for both sides, but it is United who come out on top, winning 2-0 as Liverpool’s fatigue from a long season catches up to them.
Fernandes scores a first-half penalty, before he attains his 18th assist of the season, setting up Matheus Cunha with a sublime through ball that cut past the Liverpool defence.
The Red Devils confirm their Champions League football as England seal a fifth coefficient spot. That gives Chelsea hope as they beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 to close the gap on Arne Slot’s Merseysiders to just five points.
Sunderland vs Manchester United (May 9)
In a tepid game in which Kobbie Mainoo is the only scorer, United run out 1-0 victors. Champions League football is confirmed for the first time in three years.
Carrick’s men are aided by a 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Chelsea. But third place is still Villa’s heading into the penultimate game of the season.
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest (May 17)
The Red Devils run out comfortable 3-0 winners against a Nottingham Forest side focused on the Europa League. This proves to be an extremely important weekend as results elsewhere change the situation for other teams.
The three new signings, Sesko, Mbeumo, and Cunha, all score, with Fernandes securing his 19th and 20th assists of the season, drawing him level with Henry and De Bruyne.
Villa hand over third to United after losing 2-1 to Liverpool. Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 to keep their top-five hopes alive, while Arsenal win the title for the first time in 22 years with a 3-0 win over Burnley.
Brighton vs Manchester United (May 24)
Carrick suffers just his second defeat in charge as United lose 1-0 to Brighton, courtesy of a Danny Welbeck goal. But the loss doesn’t prevent a third-place finish.
Fernandes is unable to assist, and he remains level with De Bruyne and Henry on 20 assists in a Premier League season. Not even the Portuguese maestro is good enough to beat the elusive record.
Aston Villa lose 2-0 to Manchester City, ensuring United stay third. Liverpool take the last remaining Champions League spot and Chelsea settle on the Europa League.
Key facts and figures
Michael Carrick’s record during his second stint as interim coach sees him win 12, draw three and lose two. That points towards a permanent appointment to kickstart a new era at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes finishes the season on 20 assists, whilst also notching 10 goals. Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo both finish the season on 12 goals, whilst Senne Lammens keeps 10 clean sheets total.
