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United's Remaining December Fixtures and the Path Back to the Top Four

Manchester United visit Sheffield United on Thursday for the first in a crucial run of five games in just 13 days.

The Red Devils head to Bramhall Lane eight points off top spot in the Premier League, but with two games in hand on leaders Liverpool.

With a place in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup also up for grabs in the run-up to Christmas, this is an important couple of weeks for United. Read on as we look at the upcoming schedule.

Sheffield United (A) – Premier League – December 17

United are odds-on to beat the Blades, and plenty of fans will be using códigos de bonos offers to back them to pick up three points.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have won five out of five on the road this season and will fancy their chances of enhancing that record this evening.

The home team finished ninth last term, but are now struggling to find their form and are bottom of the table with just one point.

United are fully expected to record a victory in this game and move themselves to within one point of the top four.

Leeds United (H) – Premier League – December 20

Leeds had gone off the boil after a promising start to the campaign but bounced back with an impressive 5-2 victory over Newcastle United on Wednesday.

The Whites have won three of their six league outings on the road and will head to Old Trafford believing that they can get a result.

United’s home form has been poor this season, and this issue will need to be addressed if they are to force their way into the title reckoning.

A home win should be on the cards in this one, but don’t be surprised to see Leeds put up an almighty fight throughout the 90 minutes.

Everton (A) – EFL Cup – December 23

United have reached the last eight of the EFL Cup without breaking sweat, recording victories at Luton Town and Brighton & Hove Albion in the previous two rounds.

However, they are unlikely to find things easy against an Everton team that looks much-improved under manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The Toffees have beaten Salford City, Fleetwood Town and West Ham United on their way to the quarter-finals and will be confident of making further progress.

There is little to choose between the two sides at the moment, and a penalty shoot-out may be needed to separate them in this one.

Leicester City (A) – Premier League – December 26

United haven’t been beaten by Leicester since September 2014 and look a good bet to continue that run on their latest visit to the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes are a formidable force when they are in full flight, but appear to be better suited to playing away from home.

Their 2-0 defeat against Everton in midweek means they have now taken just nine points from a possible 21 at home this season.

The Red Devils triumphed 2-0 on their last visit to Leicester, and a similar outcome is expected on Boxing Day.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) – Premier League – December 29

United have found Wolves troublesome over the past couple of years, winning just one of their seven meetings in all competitions during that period.

Nuno’s side have been a bit hit-and-miss this season, but their recent 2-1 victory over Chelsea highlighted that it is foolish to underestimate them.

Their latest encounter with United could be another tight affair, particularly with the games coming thick-and-fast at this time of year.

Despite this, the Red Devils are expected to snatch a narrow victory and end the year firmly entrenched in the top four.

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By RedManc

RedMancunian is the number one source for Manchester United news, insight and opinion on the most successful football club in the English top flight. RedMancunian was founded at the end of the 2011/2012 football season. We hope to provide insight on football matters related to Manchester United and provides a sense of what the club was and is all about. Follow RedMancunian on Twitter - @RedMancunian