Manchester United Vs Fulham Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   What a week it’s been. Back-to-back wins against the top two teams in the league is not a fluke — I don’t care what anyone says. Even the supercomputers were confused. The odds were defied, narratives were torn apart, and Old Trafford finally felt alive again. We even got hit songs out of it — Cunha-Bruno-Shaw and Dorgu-Bruno-Dorgu-Bruno. Moments like this remind you why football is emotional. It genuinely feels like the good times might be coming back to Manchester United. That said, I’m not getting carried away. This squad has always had a habit of showing up against big teams. The real test is what comes next — matches like this one. This Fulham game will tell us whether United have actually improved or if this is just another false dawn. One win away from equalling Ruben Amorim’s longest Premier League winning streak, Michael Carrick and his revitalised United side welcome Fulham to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. With the transfer window closing in England tomorrow, the club has still not brought anyone in. Yes, there have been outgoings — Joe Hugill has left for Kilmarnock — but that’s nowhere near enough. Management's position is that signings will only happen if players are available at the “right price”. To me, that’s just another excuse for poor planning. Smaller clubs are doing business this January, yet Manchester United still doesn’t have a natural left winger.   With Dorgu set to be out for almost three months, we’re left with Cunha and Mount — both players who prefer operating as number 10s rather than being pushed out wide. Reinforcements are needed if we’re serious about finishing as high as possible. Everyone knows it: to attract the best players, you have to be playing Champions League football. After silencing the Emirates Stadium last Sunday, United now face another in-form side in Fulham — a team we drew 1–1 with in the first leg. It’s a match Bruno Fernandes will want to put right after missing a penalty last time out, though the midfield issues that plagued that game now appear to be sorted. Carrick’s impact has been immediate. He is the first United manager since February 2010 to record back-to-back wins against teams starting the day in the top two of the Premier League table. As things stand, United are firmly in control of the race for fourth place. The Red Devils head into Gameweek 24 with a one-point lead over Chelsea and a two-point cushion over Liverpool, riding a six-game unbeaten run — the longest in the league right now. United’s summer attacking investment is finally paying off. They’ve scored in each of their last 11 Premier League games and conceded just once in their last three at Old Trafford. The return of Bryan Mbeumo has been massive. United won just 20% of matches while he was away at AFCON, compared to a 50% win rate when he starts. Over the last two seasons, only Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland have been involved in more Premier League goals than Mbeumo. A penny for Ruben Amorim’s sexual thoughts as his successor — temporary or permanent — dismantled both Manchester City and Arsenal in consecutive league games, and did so convincingly. Carrick may have passed two of the toughest tests imaginable already, but this won’t be straightforward. Marco Silva has Fulham dreaming of Europe.   After an inconsistent start to the season, the Cottagers have lost just once in their last eight matches across all competitions, winning five. Harry Wilson was the hero again last time out, curling in a last-minute free kick to complete a dramatic 2–1 comeback against Brighton.   Fulham have picked up 17 points from their last eight league games — the same number they managed in their first 15. That’s the best eight-game run in their Premier League history.   Wilson’s form has been central to that surge, contributing to 10 goals in his last 11 appearances. Set-pieces have also become a major weapon. Since December, only two teams have scored more set-piece goals than Fulham. The loss of Dorgu is a blow for United. He’s been involved in five goals in his last seven league appearances and ranks among the league’s best for chances created, possession won, and fouls drawn during that period. Still, history favours United. The Red Devils have lost just one of their last 20 league meetings with Fulham, though that defeat did come at Old Trafford in February 2024. The Opta supercomputer gives United a 51.7% chance of victory, compared to Fulham’s 23.7%, with the draw rated at 24.6%. Fulham, meanwhile, has a win probability of 23.7%, while the draw is ranked at 24.6%. With all the positivity around Old Trafford, this game is about consistency. Fulham will likely sit back and test United’s patience — this will be the first side to face us after those big wins with a clear plan to frustrate. What do you think? Comment below with your score predictions!   Manchester United record against Fulham: Games won: 58 Games drawn: 21 Games lost: 16       Team News: (As of today, 31/01/2026) Manchester United: De ligt and Dorgu are out. Fulham: Rodrigo Muniz and Sasa Lukic are out.   Prediction: For me, this is where it starts. Five straight wins would all but secure a top-four finish, given how teams below us are dropping points. Beating “smaller” teams has been United’s biggest problem for three years. If Carrick gets this right, I’ll fully back him as the new manager. Manchester United 3-1 Fulham.  

Arsenal Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   I’ll be honest, last week shocked me. I gave Manchester United absolutely no chance against Manchester City. Not based on emotion, not based on rivalry, even the odds and the supercomputers wrote them off completely. But football will always remind you why it’s played on grass and not on spreadsheets.   That result simply confirmed what I’ve always said about this team: they are unpredictable. The good thing now is that this unpredictability sits under a new manager, or coach, depending on which word people want to argue about before “sack” enters the conversation one day.   United silenced the noisy neighbours, the Cityzens, with a solid 2–0 victory, and they’ll carry that renewed belief into Sunday’s clash against league leaders Arsenal, a team many of their fans currently call the best in the world. This one feels like a battle of structure, discipline, and defensive resolve. Expect a spectacle, but one built on control, not chaos. Casemiro, speaking via the club website, has confirmed he will leave Old Trafford at the end of the 2025/2026 season. The announcement came on Friday, January 23, 2026.   In what has been a relatively short spell compared to other clubs in his career, Casemiro has still left a strong mark. One Carabao Cup, one FA Cup, 146 appearances, and 21 goals from midfield — numbers that matter. He will be missed, no doubt about that.   But personally, I see this as good news.   It leaves the club with no excuses. Midfield reinforcements are now a must. What would make real sense is bringing one in now, but that clearly isn’t the plan. This management keeps stressing salary reduction and saving for summer deals. I understand the logic, but I don’t agree with the timing.   We need at least a defensive midfielder and a winger, a left winger especially,  this January if Champions League football is the target. The season has just begun, and every point dropped at this stage will hurt later. The problem is obvious. I honestly don’t understand the hesitation.   I’ll always love Big Case. And I’ll always remember how much he loved scoring against Chelsea. Thank you for everything.   Fifteen points separate these two giants in the league table, but since Michael Carrick took charge, there’s already a sense that good times might be returning for the Red Devils.   While Arsenal failed to fully capitalise on Manchester City’s recent slip-ups, United played their part by doing the unthinkable, defying form, pressure, and off-field noise to stun City at Old Trafford.   Carrick watched on as Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sealed a commanding 2–0 win, United’s first victory in any competition since Ruben Amorim’s narrow Boxing Day triumph over Newcastle.   That result pushed United straight back into the Champions League conversation. They head into the weekend sitting just one point behind Liverpool in fifth place, and despite recent struggles, goals haven’t dried up.   The Opta supercomputer gives Arsenal a 71.3% chance of winning, but we’ve just seen United rip up predictions once already.   Still, history isn’t on United’s side:   Winless in their last six league games against Arsenal (D1, L5)   Arsenal’s last two league games ended 0–0   Only West Ham in 2015 last recorded three consecutive goalless draws   If anyone can unlock Arsenal’s defence, though, it’s Bruno Fernandes. United’s captain leads the league in assists (9) and chances created (62), despite missing weeks through injury in December and early January.   Away form remains a concern. United have conceded in every away league match this season, not ideal ahead of a visit to an Arsenal side that has beaten them in five of the last six league meetings, including August’s painful 1–0 defeat at Old Trafford. Despite City and Aston Villa losing last week, Arsenal still sit seven points clear at the top. They quickly returned to ruthless mode in midweek, dismantling Inter Milan 3–1 at the San Siro to secure Champions League knockout football with a game to spare.   Back at the Emirates, Arsenal have been untouchable. Unbeaten in all 16 home games this season, winning 14 of them, and conceding no more than one goal in any match.   Defensive control is their biggest weapon. In their last two league games, Arsenal have not faced a single shot on target, the fifth time they’ve managed that this season. No team has done it more often in a single campaign since Chelsea in 2020/21.   Both sides are among the league’s best from set-pieces. It’s simple: whoever defends theirs better wins this match.. Who do you think will win? Comment below with your score predictions!   Manchester United record against Arsenal: Games won: 102 Games drawn: 51 Games lost: 91       Team News: (As of today 24/01/2026) Arsenal:   Max Dowman is out. Manchester United: De ligt and Zirkzee are out.   Prediction: Mikel vs Michael takes centre stage in Gameweek 23 as Manchester United attempt to disrupt Arsenal’s title charge at the Emirates. If United defend the way they did against Manchester City — disciplined, compact, fearless — they can come away with something. Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United.

Manchester United Vs Manchester City Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 Manchester United will play just 40 matches this season, their shortest campaign since 1914–15. That alone tells you everything about how far this club has fallen. Now, interim manager Michael Carrick gets thrown straight into the fire, starting his reign with a Manchester derby against a City side doing everything United are not.   United kicked off 2026 with back-to-back league draws against Leeds and Burnley, only to crash out of the FA Cup at home to Brighton. At some point, you begin to ask yourself how much more the fans are willing to take before real pressure is put on the owners. But that conversation can wait. A derby is upon us. Carrick’s first test. Do you honestly see him getting anything here — a draw, maybe a smash-and-grab win?   Behind the scenes, United are said to be quietly chasing a midfielder this January. Jason Wilcox and the recruitment team are reportedly focused on the middle of the park while completely ignoring the wings. That’s baffling, considering we still don’t have a natural left winger. It feels like Carrick has already been set up to fail. Either they know something we don’t, or they simply don’t know what they’re doing anymore.   The managerial search also drags on. Glasner has announced he will leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season, and Luis Enrique has confirmed he won’t be renewing his contract. On paper, United should have options. The real concern is whether the board will actually make the right call this time — or continue stumbling around while the club drifts further away from the top.   Eight days after Ruben Amorim was sacked, United confirmed Michael Carrick as interim head coach until the end of the season. This will be the 44-year-old’s second spell in the Old Trafford dugout after his short but respectable run in late 2021 (W2 D1). Sentiment aside, this is a brutal way to begin.   Supporters from both sides will be hoping for far more than what we saw last time these two met at Old Trafford — a painfully dull 0-0 draw back in April. Carrick’s task doesn’t get any easier either. United lost the reverse fixture 3-0 at the Etihad in September, and they haven’t failed to score in both league meetings with City since the 1973–74 season — a year United were relegated.   Worse still, United have failed to score in four of their last five home league games against City, including the last two in a row. They haven’t gone three straight home derbies without a goal since a run that ended in 1914. History is not on their side.   According to the Opta supercomputer, City have a 50.6% chance of winning, while United sit at just 25.9%. And honestly, can you trust this team right now?   City arrive after beating Newcastle 2-0 in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final and smashing Exeter 10-1 in the FA Cup. Yet, they’ve drawn their last three Premier League games, slipping six points behind Arsenal. Still, Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in 13 matches across all competitions and haven’t lost in nine league games.   January signing Antoine Semenyo has hit the ground running after his £64m move from Bournemouth, scoring twice and picking up back-to-back man-of-the-match awards. City looks settled, sharp, and motivated — everything United currently aren’t.   The numbers at Old Trafford don’t help either. City have won more Premier League away games against United than any other visiting side, while only Liverpool have scored more goals there.   If I’m being honest, part of me wants City to win. Not out of loyalty to them, but because INEOS and the Glazers cannot keep running this club like a circus. The Carrick appointment feels like another delay tactic — no signings, no clear direction, no real plan. Old Trafford has become a playground for visiting teams, and until the ownership is compelled to act, nothing will change. From a footballing point of view, we don’t have the tools to hurt City right now. So yeah… I’m tired.   Drop your score predictions below.         Manchester United record against Manchester City: Games won: 80 Games drawn: 54 Games lost: 63     Team News: (As of today 16/01/2026,) Manchester United: Matthijs de Ligt is still injured. Noussair Mazraoui is still unavailable due to AFCON duty. Manchester City: Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Oscar Bobb and Savinho are all sidelined with injuries, while Omar Marmoush is still away on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt. Prediction: We’ve never really had a proper “new manager bounce,” and I don’t expect one now. These players don’t look like they have much left to fight for. Considering the thrashing at the Etihad, I only see one outcome. Manchester United 2-2 Manchester City

Burnley Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 Like I’ve said before — and I’ll say it again — this was always coming. The only surprise is how it happened. Ruben Amorim has been sacked, not purely because of results, but because he finally said what the board didn’t want to hear. That post-match press conference after the 1-1 draw at Elland Road sealed his fate. Calling out the board publicly for broken promises and a lack of signings was never going to end well.   So here we are. Manchester United head to Turf Moor with Darren Fletcher in charge.   United kicked off 2026 with a 1-1 draw against Leeds, thanks to a Cunha goal in a game that honestly could have gone either way. But the football almost felt secondary. The real fire came afterward, when Amorim openly questioned the club’s direction. That was the final straw. For me, this still doesn’t change the fact that he has been one of the worst managers in the club’s history — but the way he went says a lot about the problems higher up.   Now the big question: can United get that so-called “new manager bounce” and finally pick up a win at Turf Moor?   United come into this game sitting sixth in the table. Depending on other results, a win could push them up to fourth or fifth. On paper, this is another must-win game against a struggling side. But we’ve all watched this team long enough to know that nothing is ever straightforward. The manager may have changed, but the board and the system are still very much the same.   There is some good news. Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount are available, though both will likely have their minutes managed. Even limited, their presence alone raises United’s chances. The question is whether that will be enough.   Off the pitch, the noise continues. INEOS are proving to be a difficult group to work under, but it’s being reported that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is open to returning as caretaker until the end of the season. If that happens, he could even be back in the dugout for the Manchester derby at Old Trafford.   So let me ask you directly — are you happy with Ole coming back, or are you firmly in the “never go back to your ex” camp?   Personally, I’m not a fan of the idea. It feels like a distraction tactic. INEOS clearly don’t want to spend in January, and bringing back Ole — a fan favourite — feels like a move designed to calm supporters rather than fix real problems. The plan might be short-term, but we all know how quickly narratives change. Suddenly the Class of ’92 will be defending him again, and we’ll be right back where we started.   What this club needs is an experienced, elite manager with clear attacking ideas and enough authority that the board can’t interfere. Someone in the mould of Luis Enrique — a big personality, clear identity, no nonsense. But I want to hear your thoughts. Who would you want?   For now, Darren Fletcher takes charge in gameweek 21. Amorim leaves United sixth, level on points with Chelsea and just three points off the top four. Champions League football is still very much achievable, but serious issues remain — especially defensively.   Away from home, United were a mess under Amorim. Just two clean sheets in 24 Premier League away games tells its own story. The current run of 15 straight away matches without a clean sheet is the club’s worst since the late 1970s. Even against teams in the relegation zone, United rarely looked secure.   At least Fletcher has one positive to lean on: Matheus Cunha. He’s in good form, with three goals in his last five league games, and he has a habit of hurting newly promoted sides.   Burnley, however, have problems of their own. Scott Parker could be missing up to 10 players. Top scorer Zian Flemming is unlikely to feature, and Josh Cullen’s ACL injury has been a huge blow. Their form tells the rest of the story — winless in 11 league games and firmly in relegation trouble.   Burnley have picked up just 12 points from 20 matches and sit 19th, six points from safety. That’s relegation form, no debate.   So the questions remain: Do these United players finally step up? Was Amorim holding them back? Can Darren Fletcher spark even a short-term reaction? Drop your score predictions below. Manchester United record against Burnley: Games won: 68 Games drawn: 25 Games lost: 45     Team News: (As of today 06/01/2026) Burnley: Josh Cullen, Zeki Amdouni, Connor Roberts, Joe Worrall, Zian Flemming and Jordan Beyer are ruled out. Axel Tuanzebe, Hannibal Mejbri, and Lyle Diallo are unavailable due to AFCON duty. Manchester United: Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, and Matthijs de Ligt are out injured. Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo are unavailable due to AFCON duty.   Prediction: Defensively, United are still fragile, and with no real movement expected in January, I honestly see more struggles ahead. Staying in the top 10 might even come down to luck. That said, anything other than a win here is unacceptable. Lose this, and INEOS deserve every bit of criticism coming their way. Burnley 1-2 Manchester United          

Leeds United Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 First of all, I want to say Happy New Year to all our amazing readers, followers, and contributors. Welcome to 2026 — hopefully a year filled with better football, fewer excuses, and real progress for Manchester United.   United begin the new year with a tough trip to Elland Road for the Roses Derby against Leeds United. There are few grounds more hostile, especially at this stage of the season, and facing a Leeds side that has found renewed belief only adds to the difficulty. The big question is simple: can Manchester United silence Elland Road and start 2026 with a statement win?   The last outing against Wolves is one most United fans would rather forget — or at least move past very quickly. The 1-1 draw handed Wolves just their third point of the season, and it felt every bit like a defeat. With teams above also dropping points, a win would have pushed United into the top four yet again, only for inconsistency to rear its head. Once more, injuries and AFCON absences were offered as explanations, but at some point those excuses begin to wear thin.   Off the pitch, January transfer talk is already heating up. Amorim has insisted no deal will be rushed, stressing that the squad is strong enough, though he has also admitted the board knows which areas need strengthening if moves are made. United are still being linked with Carlos Baleba, with hopes Brighton may lower their demands due to his inconsistent league form, despite an impressive AFCON showing. Wingers remain on the radar after losing out on Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City, as United try to assemble players better suited to a system Amorim may be forced to revert to — the 4-2-3-1 that worked against Newcastle, before he oddly switched back to a 3-4-1-2 against Wolves.   That Wolves game brought heavy boos and criticism, much of it aimed squarely at Amorim. Drawing at home against the league’s bottom side was bad enough, but changing a winning formation and removing the goalscorer, Zirkzee, while fielding seven defensively minded players raised serious questions. Still, despite the noise, United sit sixth — just three points off the Champions League places — and head to Elland Road on a 25-game unbeaten run against newly promoted sides since the infamous Watford defeat in 2021.   Away from home, United have at least found the net in seven consecutive Premier League matches, though the defensive issues remain alarming. They’ve conceded in 14 straight league away games and have already dropped 12 points from winning positions this season — more than all of last season combined. This trip to Leeds also represents just a second chance to win in five matches, with United conceding more equalisers than any other top-flight side this campaign.   Opta’s supercomputer gives United a slight edge, but honestly, that offers little comfort. This team has developed a worrying habit of conceding silly goals, and Amorim’s in-game substitutions continue to raise eyebrows. What do you think — is this a team you can trust right now?   Leeds, meanwhile, come into this clash full of belief. They recently earned a hard-fought clean sheet at Anfield, holding Liverpool to a goalless draw, and have now gone six league games without defeat. Daniel Farke’s side have climbed to 16th, easing relegation fears, and have taken 10 points from their last 18 available.   Elland Road has become a fortress again. Leeds have scored 10 goals in their last three home games and have failed to score at home just once all season. Since switching to a back three and playing more directly, they look revitalised, organised, and dangerous — exactly the kind of opponent United struggle against.   History slightly favours United. Leeds haven’t beaten them in the top flight since 2002, and United have won their last two league visits to Elland Road. Still, precedent also suggests goals at both ends, with United conceding in their last 14 away league matches — their worst run since the mid-80s.   So, after that frustrating Wolves draw, what happens in United’s first match of the new year? Drop your score predictions below. Manchester United record against Leeds: Games won: 50 Games drawn: 37 Games lost: 26     Team News: (As of today 03/01/2026,) Leeds united: Ethan Ampadu, Sean Longstaff, Joe Rodon, and Daniel James are out for this game. Manchester United: Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, and Matthijs de Ligt are out injured. Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo are unavailable due to AFCON duty.   Prediction: If it were up to me, I’d gladly fast-forward to the end of the season, but there are still 19 games to play and a Champions League place remains within reach. Unfortunately, this team — and this manager — remain painfully unpredictable. Still, I see United just about edging it. Leeds United 1-2 Manchester United          

Aston Villa Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 People called it an eight-goal thriller. Some said it was a record saved, others praised four “great” goals. But honestly, all I saw was a defensive mess. Schoolboy errors everywhere, from the players and from the touchline.   Yes, we got a point. Yes, the AFCON players have now left. But now comes the real test. The festive fixtures are here, and next up is the most in-form team in the Premier League right now: Aston Villa. The big question is simple, what kind of response are we getting from Manchester United?   Sunday’s lone Premier League fixture is a proper eye-catcher. Title-chasing Aston Villa host top-four hopefuls Manchester United at Villa Park in what promises to be a fascinating clash.   Rúben Amorim stirred things up last week when he publicly criticized some of the younger players. The response was telling. Cryptic social media posts started appearing, and things escalated when Kobbie Mainoo’s brother wore a “Free Kobbie Mainoo” T-shirt to Old Trafford during the Bournemouth game.   This week, Amorim slightly clarified his stance, saying some players feel entitled, and that mentality is exactly what he’s trying to remove from the club. According to him, these players must understand what it truly means to play for a club like Manchester United. Even Roy Keane backed him, insisting players must earn their minutes.   United do have a proud history of promoting youth, but that has never meant guaranteed starts. If you want to be in the first team, you earn it on the pitch, not through cryptic posts or social media statements. So where do you stand on this situation?   United did preserve their impressive record of not losing match after taking the lead in the first half against Bournemouth, they still haven’t lost a Premier League home game when leading at half-time. But once again, Amorim’s side let multiple advantages slip. Three separate leads gone in an eight-goal rollercoaster says everything about the defensive fragility.   Scoring four goals in back-to-back matches, following the demolition of Wolves, would normally inspire confidence. But with Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations, that optimism is quickly replaced by concern, especially after such a poor defensive showing.   Still, United remain within touching distance of the top four heading into Gameweek 17. And for all their flaws, they’ve been entertaining away from home, scoring and conceding in each of their last six Premier League away matches.   Villa Park has traditionally been kind to United. Their 18 Premier League wins there is their second-most away against any opponent, only behind Everton. However, Unai Emery masterminded Villa’s last home win over United back in 2022, proof that history alone won’t count for much here.   Aston Villa have been the surprise package in this season’s title race. Heading into the festive period, they’re favourites to extend their winning run, winning 57.2% of Opta’s pre-match simulations. They’re also chasing a 10th consecutive win in all competitions.   Villa have won nine straight home games and already enjoyed a 10-match home winning streak under Emery between March and September 2023. The Spaniard could now become just the second Villa manager to record two separate runs of 10 consecutive home wins, after George Ramsay over a century ago.   There’s still debate about how sustainable Villa’s form really is, though. Emery’s side have been overperforming at both ends of the pitch. Only Tottenham have exceeded their expected goals by a larger margin than Villa this season (+7.9), despite ranking 15th for xG overall and joint-bottom for xG per shot.   Morgan Rogers continues to impress. After scoring twice in the 3-2 win over West Ham, including a stunning long-range winner. He’s now been involved in eight goals in his last 11 Premier League games. Interestingly, all of his last six goal involvements have come away from home.   For United, Bruno Fernandes may operate further forward in Mbeumo’s absence. His free-kick against Bournemouth was outstanding, and he has now both scored and assisted in back-to-back league matches. The last United player to manage that in three consecutive games was Ryan Giggs back in April 2003.   If Fernandes provides an assist here, he’ll make Premier League history. No player has ever assisted in six consecutive away matches, and the Portugal international is currently on five.   At this point, all United fans are really asking for is improvement, defensively and offensively, especially with two of our best attackers away at AFCON. That said, this team has a habit of performing when you least expect it. I genuinely wouldn’t be shocked if they pulled something out of nothing here.   Drop your score predictions below. Manchester United record against Aston Villa: Games won: 107 Games drawn: 42 Games lost: 51     Team News: (As of today 20/12/2025,) Aston Villa: Tyrone Mings, Pau Torres, Ross Barkley, Harvey Elliot and Jadon Sancho are out for this game. Manchester United: Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt are out injured. Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo are unavailable due to AFCON duty.   Prediction: Villa are the Opta supercomputer’s favourites ahead of this game, winning 57.2% of the model’s 10,000 pre-match simulations. For me, I have seen these players pull something out of nothing. I won’t be surprised if they win this match. I believe a narrow win is possible. Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United        

Manchester United Vs AFC Bournemouth Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   After a convincing 4–1 second-half demolition of Wolves last week, Manchester United returns to Old Trafford to face Bournemouth. A ground that, sadly, hasn’t exactly been a fortress lately. In fact, Bournemouth have come here in the last two seasons and left with comfortable 3–0 wins. That alone tells you how big a test this is for the Red Devils if European qualification is still the target.   Away from the pitch, there’s been noise again. This time involving club legends. Reports suggest some players are unhappy with the constant criticism from the Class of ’92, particularly Paul Scholes, whose blunt analysis on national TV hasn’t gone down well. The players feel this is a different era and that the criticism is hurting morale, especially at Old Trafford. But honestly, I don’t fully buy that excuse. Scholes hasn’t said anything outrageous. His main point is simple: this team lacks belief and a killer instinct. And he’s right. Teams come to Old Trafford now believing they can win something, which should never be the case. So, the real question is: Is Scholes being harsh, or do these players just lack a winning mentality?   On the pitch, United once again followed a familiar script against Wolves. A flat, disappointing first half that ended 1–1, followed by a much stronger second-half response. Goals from Mbeumo, Mount, and a Fernandes penalty sealed a 4–1 win, but it shouldn’t take 45 minutes of suffering before this team wakes up. Now attention turns to this crucial fixture, the last one before United’s African players head off for AFCON.   United have now lost just one of their last nine Premier League games (W5 D3), with that lone defeat coming at home to Everton under the Monday night lights. More importantly, they’ve taken 18 points from those nine games, more than they managed in the previous 17 combined. That run has lifted them to sixth place, just one point off the top four. Progress? Yes. Convincing? Not entirely.   Bruno Fernandes has been central to that improvement. The captain has been involved in eight goals in his last eight league games, scoring twice and assisting six. Against Wolves, he both scored and assisted for the 16th time in a Premier League match — a stat only bettered at United by Rooney, Giggs, and Beckham. That said, the other end of the pitch remains a problem. United have kept just one clean sheet in 15 league games this season. Only Wolves have fewer, and they’re at the bottom. Under Amorim, United have managed just six clean sheets in 42 matches. That’s not a short-term issue; it’s a long-standing one.   Amorim hopes this is the game to improve defensively, especially with Bournemouth failing to score in their last two league matches. The Cherries haven’t gone three games without a goal since the end of the 2022–23 season. Still, Bournemouth’s problems go beyond finishing. They’ve created very little lately, just 18 shots across their last two matches compared to 46 in the two before that. Unsurprisingly, they’re now six games without a league win.   Antoine Semenyo could be key if they’re to turn things around. He started the season on fire with six goals in seven games, but he hasn’t scored in his last seven league appearances. That said, Bournemouth will come with confidence. They’ve beaten United 3–0 at Old Trafford in back-to-back seasons, something no one would have believed a few years ago. Last December, goals from Huijsen, Kluivert, and Semenyo sealed another embarrassing home defeat for United.   United’s first-half performance against Wolves nearly proved my point from last week all over again. Fans were already joking that I’d “jinxed” them by predicting a draw. Which brings me back to the same question: Would you honestly take a 1–1 draw against this out-of-form Bournemouth side? Because I wouldn’t. And if that happens, my stance remains the same — this manager has to go. That’s my honest opinion. Drop your score predictions below! Manchester United record against Bournemouth: Games won: 14 Games drawn: 5 Games lost: 5     Team News: (As of today, 14/12/2025,) Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko, Harry Maguire and De Ligt are out for this game. Bournemouth: Milosavljevic, Ryan Christie and Ben Doak out.     Prediction: Opta’s supercomputer gives United a 48.8% chance of winning, but Bournemouth could make unwanted history by winning three straight league games at Old Trafford by three or more goals. For me, this won’t be pretty. The pressure is heavy, the boos have been loud in recent home games, and United have to take points before losing Mbeumo to AFCON. I see a narrow win — nothing more. Manchester United 1-0 Bournemouth        

Wolverhampton Wanderers Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   Manchester United and Wolves close out Gameweek 15 on Monday, December 8th, 2025—a meeting between two sides desperate for consistency, even if their situations differ sharply. Wolves still haven’t won a single league match this season, sitting on just two points, yet United’s inconsistency means nothing is guaranteed. The Red Devils can move up to fifth with a win, but can these players maintain 80% focus for 90 straight minutes? United dropped points again on Thursday, drawing 1–1 with West Ham after taking the lead through Diogo Dalot. Instead of pushing for a second goal, United sat back and defended from the 60th minute onward—a decision Amorim reinforced by substituting Zirkzee and Cunha for Ugarte and Mount. Despite trying to shift responsibility onto player mentality in his post-match comments, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Amorim is the wrong fit for Manchester United. His decisions lack ambition, his in-game control remains questionable, and the team repeatedly collapses under pressure.   Behind the scenes, tension is growing. The Glazers—still the majority shareholders—are reportedly unhappy with Amorim’s impact on both performances and commercial value. They believe poor results affect the club’s global brand. INEOS, however, is still backing the Portuguese coach since they oversee football operations. Sources suggest Amorim is being closely monitored throughout December, and his future may depend on these festive fixtures. The Glazers seem ready to pull the trigger, but INEOS is resisting—for now.   Wolves have been given a 25.6% chance of earning their first win of the season, while Manchester United win 51.2% of Opta’s simulations. United lost this fixture last season but haven’t suffered consecutive league defeats at Molineux since 1980. Despite broader frustrations, United’s away form is surprisingly strong. They have gone four Premier League away games unbeaten (W2, D2), after previously enduring an eight-match winless run on the road. Their last longer away streak was a seven-match run in 2021–22.   Monday marks Matheus Cunha’s return to Molineux following his move to Manchester. His record at Wolves’ home ground is excellent—11 goal contributions in his last 12 Premier League games there. United also have Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo entering the match in good form, while Wolves struggle desperately. Rob Edwards’ side is now winless in 14 games (D2, L12) and sitting on the worst start to a Premier League season since Sheffield United in 2020–21.   Their last two matches ended in narrow 1–0 defeats to Forest and Aston Villa, making it seven straight league losses. To add to their problems, they have failed to score in their last five league matches—one of the bleakest spells in their top-flight history. Yet Wolves fans will remember last season well: they beat Manchester United home and away. United have not lost back-to-back matches at Molineux for 45 years, but history can repeat itself if this team switches off again.   Given Wolves’ terrible form—but also their double over United last season—would you accept a 1–1 draw on Monday? Or do you believe this struggling United side must take all three points?   Drop your score predictions below! Manchester United record against Wolves: Games won: 56 Games drawn: 20 Games lost: 39     Team News: (As of today 07/12/2025,) Wolves: Joao Gomes. Marshall Munetsi, Ladislav Krejci, Fer Lopez, Hugo Bueno, Rodrigo Gomes, Leon Chiwome and Daniel Bentley are out of this game. Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko, Harry Maguire and De Ligt are out for this game.     Prediction: United always seem to collapse whenever the teams above them drop points and they have a chance to climb into the top four—but this is a match they have no excuse to drop. A win is not only expected… it is necessary. Anything less should make “Amorim Out” a serious conversation. Wolves 1-3 Manchester United.      

Manchester United Vs West Ham Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   Manchester United and West Ham United wrap up the midweek Premier League fixtures under the lights at Old Trafford on Thursday night—two teams separated by 10 places and 10 points heading into gameweek 14.   United arrive with renewed belief after a spirited 2-1 comeback win at Selhurst Park. Despite falling behind to a retaken Mateta penalty—thanks to yet another rule adjustment—the Red Devils showed character. Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount turned the game around with two brilliantly executed goals, both assisted by Bruno Fernandes’ sharp vision from set pieces. Uplifting? Yes. Encouraging? Maybe. But Manchester United fans know this team too well—brilliant one day, unrecognisable the next. Consistency remains the biggest obstacle, and West Ham, who did the double over United last season, will not make things easy. United finally broke their four-game goal drought at Selhurst Park, but the first 45 minutes were simply unacceptable. The players only woke up in the second half, proving once again that this team performs only when it feels like it. That mentality must change if the push for Europe is truly on. Still, taking advantage of Palace’s Thursday-Sunday schedule played a key part—just as predicted. Stretch the opposition, press their tired legs, and force errors. United executed this perfectly in the second half. The January window is approaching, and Manchester United are reportedly exploring midfield reinforcements, with João Gomes (Wolves) and Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) on their radar. Talks with agents have reportedly begun.   United are also searching for wing-backs and a new No. 10 ahead of the AFCON period. FIFA recently confirmed that clubs must release African players by December 15th, 2025, a decision seen as disrespectful by some African nations. However, it benefits United: both Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will still be available for the Bournemouth match. Even with a poor first half against Palace, the eventual win is the mark of a big club—but these players constantly need reminding of the badge they represent. A victory on Thursday could push United into the top six, keeping European hopes alive. Last season, West Ham beat United home and away—a painful double. United responded by defeating them in the preseason, but competitive matches are a different beast. The good news: Matheus Cunha is back. The concerning news: Ruben Amorim hinted at two injury doubts, wisely refusing to name them—showing he’s learning from past media handling mistakes. Ruben Amorim has lost just once in the last seven matches, but he is dangerously close to an unwanted club record. If United lose, he becomes the fastest manager in club history to register 10 Premier League home defeats, doing so in only 20 matches. Historically, December has also been cruel to United—they’ve lost their last three Premier League games in the month without scoring a single goal.   Nuno Espírito Santo gave West Ham a brief spark with a three-game unbeaten run, but their momentum stalled with a home defeat to Liverpool. The Hammers will be desperate to climb out of the relegation zone quickly.   History is on their side: They completed a historic double over United last season. They won 2–1 at the London Stadium in what became Ten Hag’s final match. They followed that up with a 2–0 victory at Old Trafford in May. Another win would give them back-to-back Old Trafford league victories for the first time since 1934. So once again, United fans are faced with the same weekly dilemma: Will Manchester United finally produce 90 minutes of concentration, composure, and courage? Or will they crumble, invite pressure, and rely on yet another desperate comeback? One positive sign: United are unbeaten in their last 17 midweek Premier League home games (W14, D3), including eight straight victories. Drop your score predictions below!   Manchester United record against Crystal Palace: Games won: 74 Games drawn: 32 Games lost: 50     Team News: (As of today, 03/12/2025,) Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko and Harry Maguire are out for this game. There may be two others that the manager refused to mention in his press conference. West Ham: Summerville and Paqueta are out for this game.     Prediction: United desperately need these three points to enter the top six, especially after their embarrassing loss to 10-man Everton at Old Trafford. With momentum from the Palace win, I expect a tough but crucial victory. Manchester United 3-1 West Ham United.      

Crystal Palace Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   Manchester United head to Selhurst Park under heavy pressure and even heavier scrutiny after a disastrous showing at Old Trafford against Everton. The boos that echoed around the stadium said it all. Losing 1–0 to a 10-man Everton side — and conceding after they went a man down — was embarrassing on every level. From the touchline to the pitch, it was shambolic. Many fans are asking the same question: How much more can the board tolerate before admitting the Amorim experiment has failed?   United have not scored against Crystal Palace in their last four meetings — and after the lifeless performance against Everton, confidence isn’t exactly flowing. Starting a match with five defenders against a team reduced to ten men was baffling. Shifting Amad into unfamiliar positions didn’t help either. The tactical confusion is becoming a weekly theme, and now they travel to a stadium where their recent record is terrible. The international break may have come at the worst possible time. United had built momentum with 11 points from five Premier League games, but that form now looks like it was papering over deeper cracks — cracks that were fully exposed on Monday night. The Red Devils are barely hanging on to a top-half spot. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet in five straight matches and continue to struggle away from home. Their London record is even worse: 16 losses in their last 26 Premier League games in the capital — the worst of any top-flight side during that period.   A painful stat surfaced recently: Amorim: 9 wins in 35 Premier League games, Ten Hag (same period last year): 23 wins. The numbers speak for themselves. Poor in-game management. Poor structure. Poor identity. United ended the Everton defeat with 25 attempts — but scored none — while conceding from the only shot they faced. Their xG tells the same story: xG For: 20.1 → actual goals: 19 (two were own goals) Conversion rate: 10.4% — 7th worst in the league They create chances, but they can’t finish them.   Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are flying. Only Arsenal have conceded fewer Premier League goals this season. Oliver Glasner’s side sit fifth and have kept three straight clean sheets against Wolves, Brentford, and Brighton. Their defensive confidence is sky-high, and recent history backs it up: Three wins in their last four league games vs Man United (D1) Two wins in their last four at Selhurst Park vs Man United Opta supercomputer predictions  says Palace to win is 54.1% United aren’t just underdogs, they’re clear underdogs. So here we are again, asking what has become a weekly question for Manchester United supporters: Will this team finally show 90 minutes of concentration and courage or will they crumble, invite pressure, and rely on another desperate comeback attempt? Comment below with your score predictions!   Manchester United record against Crystal Palace: Games won: 41 Games drawn: 14 Games lost: 13     Team News: (As of today 29/11/2025,) Crystal Palace: Caleb Kporha, Borna Sosa, Cheick Doucoure , Chadi Riad  and Rio Cardines are out for this game. Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Harry Maguire are out for this game.     Prediction: United sometimes deliver when everyone has written them off, and they should have more energy than Palace. But this team has a habit of sleeping through the first half, and Selhurst Park is a brutal place for a team low on confidence. Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester United.    

Manchester United Vs Everton Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   The international break is over, and as Pep Guardiola famously said, “the season starts now.” For Manchester United, however, another distraction looms—the AFCON tournament in December, where they will lose three important players: Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, and Noussair Mazraoui. Thankfully, all three are still available for Monday night’s clash with Everton, meaning United must gather as many points as possible before their departures.   United’s last match against Tottenham felt like a defeat despite the 2–2 scoreline. The team once again surrendered control after taking the lead, and injuries to Harry Maguire and Benjamin Sesko made the night even more costly. Matthijs de Ligt’s late header extended the unbeaten run to five matches (three wins, two draws), but that run should have been five straight victories. Losing concentration in consecutive matches remains a worrying trend—one that has haunted United for nearly five years. The question now is: Can they start this brutal run of fixtures with a convincing win on Monday?   Off the pitch, Manchester United made headlines this week after reports emerged about the club’s ambition to launch an official basketball team—a long-standing dream, considering their status as one of Europe’s richest football institutions. With the women’s team thriving, United believe the time has come to expand further and compete globally across multiple sports, similar to Real Madrid and other European giants.   Back to football: Monday marks the one-year anniversary of Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge. United return to Old Trafford seeking more home comfort, having collected 12 of a possible 15 points at the Theatre of Dreams this season. They sit just three points off third place heading into a defining run of fixtures.   United’s record against Everton has been strong, winning six of their last seven meetings and staying unbeaten in the process. The Toffees have dropped two of their last four games, and while David Moyes has made Everton more competitive this season, he has never hidden his desire for revenge against the club that sacked him. His teams always come prepared for a battle against United.   Interestingly, United are only three points better off under Amorim than they were at this stage last season under Erik ten Hag. Yet the team looks more connected, especially in the first half, where they have scored more goals (11) than any other Premier League side. However, they have the league’s worst record for second-half goals conceded (14), displaying a frustrating duality: more resilient, yet still vulnerable.   Opta’s supercomputer gives United a 50.9% chance of winning, compared to Everton’s 24.2%, but Moyes’ men cannot be underestimated. They’ve collected four points from their last two matches, including a solid 2-0 win over Fulham before the break. And while they haven’t beaten United at Old Trafford since 2013, they have shown clear improvement this season—earning 50% more points than at this stage last year and remaining in touching distance of the European spots.   The only major worry for Everton is maintaining intensity. Their 1–1 draw with Sunderland highlighted their struggle to stay sharp for the full 90 minutes. They’ve also failed to win their last nine Monday night Premier League games—a run stretching back to December 2021.   Jack Grealish could be Everton’s secret weapon. On loan from Manchester City, he recorded four assists from just five chances created across his first three league games, earning the Player of the Month award in August. His creativity has remained consistent—19 chances created in seven matches—but Everton’s finishing has let him down.   So the question stands: Will Manchester United finally show 90 minutes of focus and take control of their season, or will they once again invite pressure and be forced into another comeback? Comment below with your score predictions!   Manchester United record against Everton: Games won: 96 Games drawn: 48 Games lost: 71     Team News: (As of today 22/11/2025) Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire are out for this game. Everton: Jarrad Branthwaite remains sidelined (hamstring), while Nathan Patterson is unavailable after he recently underwent groin surgery.     Prediction: The Red Devils need to rack up points before the AFCON tournament starts which means a win is needed now more than ever, so I believe they should be able to come out with a win. Manchester United 2-1 Everton.  

By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   After Rúben Amorim and Bryan Mbeumo claimed the Manager and Player of the Month awards, respectively, it finally feels like Manchester United is heading in the right direction, though not quite back to their best just yet. Despite a 2-2 draw in their last away game against Nottingham Forest, there’s growing optimism among the Red Devils’ faithful.   Now, attention turns to Sunday’s clash against Tottenham Hotspur, a side that has haunted United recently. Will Amorim’s men finally get revenge and secure their first win over Spurs this season? Both sides enter this fixture with nearly identical Premier League records: five wins and three losses in ten games, scoring 17 goals apiece. The key difference lies at the back. Spurs have conceded only eight compared to United’s 16. That defensive gap could be decisive.   During the week, Manchester United’s Director of Football, Jason Wilcox, emphasized the club’s shift in recruitment strategy, focusing on players’ professionalism and character off the pitch. Speaking to Sky Sports, he noted:   “When we sign a player, it’s not just about talent. The data team, scouts, and background checks all matter. We’re looking for clean-living professionals ready to plug in and play with minimal transition.”   That change is already paying off. United are unbeaten in four matches (W3 D1), showing improved attacking fluidity while still needing to tighten up defensively.   But history doesn’t favor them. Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous quote, “Lads, it’s Tottenham”,  doesn’t carry much weight anymore. United are winless in their last seven meetings with Spurs across all competitions, losing five, including each of the last four. Remarkably, Spurs beat United four times last season, including in the Europa League Final.   Currently sitting eighth in the league, level on points with Spurs and Chelsea, United will look to extend their unbeaten run to five games for the first time since early 2024. Their attacking stats are encouraging: only Liverpool (156) has taken more shots this season than United (153), and no team has registered more shots on target (54), according to Opta Analyst.   Bryan Mbeumo remains one of the key threats going forward. The Cameroonian has scored four goals against Spurs, three of them at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and will be eager to add to that tally alongside Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Šeško.   Meanwhile, Tottenham’s home form has been far from convincing. No side has lost more home league games in 2025 than Spurs (nine). Across his last 16 home Premier League matches, manager Thomas Frank has lost nine and won only three, a worrying trend. Their recent 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea saw them register an xG of just 0.1, the lowest by any team in a league game this season.   Yet, just days later, Spurs produced a stunning response. A 4-0 demolition of Copenhagen in the Champions League. Even with Johnson sent off, Micky van de Ven’s sensational solo goal and João Palhinha’s late strike sealed a dominant win. Frank hopes that the performance marks a turning point as fans demand consistency.   Manchester United, however, will sense an opportunity. Spurs’ inconsistency and poor home record could open the door for Amorim’s men to grab a crucial away win — especially with their newfound confidence and improved attacking rhythm. Will Manchester United show a sign of consistency by going to the home of the team that they lost a European Final to and grab a win, or will Spurs show their own consistency in the league and have a better game than the Red Devils? Comment below with your score predictions!   Manchester United record against Spurs: Games won: 96 Games drawn: 51 Games lost: 58     Team News: (As of today, 07/11/2025) Tottenham Hotspur:   James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin, Dominic Solanke, Yves Bissouma, Ben Davies, Kota Takai, and Archie Gray are unavailable Manchester United: Lisandro Martinez is still not fully fit.   Prediction: United’s confidence is building, and Spurs’ home inconsistency could be the perfect opening. Expect Amorim’s men to grind out a narrow but vital victory in North London. Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Manchester United.