Crucial week for Man Utd’s title chances as Arsenal and Man City play twice

Manchester United have a crucial week ahead in the Premier League with Arsenal and Manchester City set to play twice before they entertain Leicester City at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have not been mentioned as genuine challengers for the league this season, but they are currently close to Arsenal and City in the table.

United are presently five points adrift of leaders Arsenal, who have two games in hand. Meanwhile, City are just two points ahead of them. They have played one game less.

This week could be a crucial one for United in the title race, considering Arsenal and City will be in Premier League action at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

A victory for either club would boost their title prospects, but United would ideally prefer a share of the spoils such that the duo don’t fully benefit from their game in hand.

Before United host Leicester this weekend, Arsenal and City will be in league action against Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest respectively away from home on Saturday.

If the top two were to drop points again, this would put United right in the title mix. The fans will hope things fall in their favour before the Foxes’ visit on Sunday.

For the time being, United’s primary focus should be on the Europa League trip to Barcelona. They face the Catalan giants in the first leg of the knockout play-off on Thursday.

It promises to be an exciting affair. United have not beaten the La Liga side in the last four meetings and face a real challenge, with Barcelona having won 11 games on the trot.

United are missing several key stars including Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer through suspension, but they need a positive result before the reverse leg at Old Trafford.