Manchester United face a crucial month of October
that could have a huge impact on the team's
overall output for the season.


José Mourinho's United started the season on a
bright note with four straight wins (which included a
Community Shield triumph over Champions
Leicester City) followed by three straight defeats.

The team picked up form again with three straight
victories only to start the month of October with
their only draw of the season (against Stoke City)
so far.

In most Premier League seasons, nothing much can
be deduced from a team's performance before the
December-January transition, as that is usually
where and when Champions are made and a lot of
things settled in the League.

For United however, that determining period may be
now. The team currently lies sixth on the table with
13 points from seven games (a possible 21 points),
five points behind early leaders: neighbours
Manchester City means United can't afford to drop
much points as a lot have been dropped within their
first seven League games of the season.

Here's a look at United's remaining fixtures for
October and how it could affect the team's season.

Liverpool Vs Manchester United (October 17)

United travel to Anfield to face a high flying
confident Liverpool side that are currently third on
the table. Such a crunchy match coming after the
international break would make team selections a
little tricky for both managers.

Mourinho has already had a bad taste of the
international break as his team lost his first
Manchester derby to another arch rival in Pep
Guardiola after the last international break.

Mourinho himself contributed to the defeat stating
two players (Jesse Lingard and Henrikh
Mkhitaryan) whose physical and fitness were
questionable for a match of such intensity.
Something he admitted after the game

The Special One will be mindful of such selection
against a Liverpool side that don't have European
engagement like United who will be hosting Turkish
giants Fenerbahçe in another key match against
three days after.

The match against Liverpool is a must win or one
the team must not lose to maintain a touching
distance with the teams above them. A defeat could
widen the gap between United and City to eight if
the Citizens get a win in their own match. Trailing
the table toppers with eight points in October is a
bad one for a team of United's ambitions.

Manchester United vs Fenerbahçe (October 20)

The Europa League is not United's choice European
competition but been knocked out in the first round
would be an embarrassment.

Three points from their first two games looks
averagely decent, but considering the level of
opposition, then one can argue that the team could
have done better.

The match against the Turkish giant would have a
huge effect on United's qualification hopes.

A defeat by the Robin Van Persie led Fenerbache
and a victory for Feyenoord in the other group's
match would mean more hard work for United to
guarantee their qualification. The match is one
United can't afford to lose. Another tough game for
United in October.

Chelsea Vs Manchester United (October 23)

The fixture against Mourinho's former team will be
United's third game in seven days.

A Chelsea vs Manchester United fixture doesn't
need more drama than this. José Vs his former
team, players and employers. This time last
season, the Portuguese was under immense
pressure with his London side massively
underperforming as defending champions.

There were theories that the Chelsea's players
were the main architect of their manager's sack
with some believing José's end began after the row
with team doctor Eva.

José would have put all that behind him now, but
expect the dust of history to be brought up when
United visit the bridge.

Chelsea under new manager Conte haven't been superb. The two teams are
currently tied on the same points with United on top
by virtue of a superior goal difference. Depending
on United's result against Liverpool, this match is
also one United can't afford to lose, putting aside
Mourinho's hidden intention to get one over his
former team.

A victory over Liverpool will ease the pressure on
United going into this match. A defeat or draw
against the Kops makes this match a must win.

By the end of the game against the Blues, United
would have played Manchester City, Liverpool and
Chelsea in the League and expect the results of
these games to form a strong basis for judging
Mourinho at United so far.

Van Gaal had the record of not losing much games
to his top rivals and Mourinho understands that he
must continue in that tradition.

Losing these two games can widen the gap
between United and city to eleven or lesser.

Manchester United vs Manchester City ( A Cup
Derby) October 26.

The F.A Cup and EFL Cup present United a shorter
route to silverware this season but City in the fourth
round of the EFL cup would be more than a cup
match.

The first version of the José Mourinho vs Pep
Guardiola clash was won by the Manchester City
boss at Old Trafford in the League. And this time,
expect United to go all out for a revenge.

A defeat for United means outrightly losing one
chance of a silverware and losing it to the next door
neighbour will make it more painful. The tie at Old
Trafford is like an advantage for United, one that
must be utilized to the maximum.

As always a game against City is a must win for
United.

United end the month with a league match against
Burnley at Old Trafford.

In all it promises to be a fascinating and breath
taking October for United. One that could decide a
lot of things.

Source: www.mufcmetro.com/2016/10/how-october-could-shape-up-united-season.html?m=1