Premier League restart preview: Manchester United to unleash league-best midfield partnership

Without doubt Manchester United's next nine league matches are crucial in shaping the future of the club. Conceding a top four finish to Chelsea, coupled with Manchester CIty overturning their European ban in July, could ultimately cost them in pursuit of key transfer targets Jadon Sancho and Kai Havertz. That would put the brakes on progress under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and make it difficult to keep Paul Pogba.

They will resume the 2019/20 campaign three points behind Chelsea. In some ways the break came at a bad moment for United. The Red Devils had just started to pick up steam, boosted by the arrival of Bruno Fernandes from Portuguese gians Sporting. On the flip side, however, the break has given key players the chance to recover from injury without missing any matches. With United still active in both the FA Cup and Europa League, it could prove massive for Solskjaer.

Pre-lockdown Form

Back-to-back league defeats to Liverpool and Burnley at the start of the year appeared to end United's chances of finishing fourth but they have bounced back well. Unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions since then, it's fair to say United turned the screw under Solskjaer, helped enormously by the introduction of Fernandes.

United entered lockdown with a five-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League and that run included convincing wins over Chelsea and City without conceding. In fact, they only conceded one goal across all five matches and will resume the season just three points behind fourth-place Chelsea.

Not only did United manage to cut into Chelsea's advantage, but Solskjaer's side also advanced to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and all but secured a place in the same stage of the Europa League with a 5-0 first-leg win away to LASK in their final game before the break.

Squad Updates

The three-month break from football allowed those with injuries to close in on full fitness without missing any matches and United were certainly big winners in that regard.

There were doubts whether both Marcus Rashford or Paul Pogba would feature for United again this season after suffering long-term injuries at the start of the year.

Both Rashford and Pogba went under the knife for back and ankle surgery, respectively, but are now fit and ready to spearhead United's top-four assault.

Rashford was enjoying the best season of his career in terms of goals scored before injury (19 in all competitions) but the return of Pogba is arguably most exciting. Solskjaer now has the chance to form what potentially could be the best midfield partnership in the Premier League with Fernandes.

Fernandes has made a terrific start to life at United with five goals and assists in as many league appearances for the club and there is a feeling at the club his arrival could spark Pogba into life at Old Trafford. Some even believe the Frenchman could end up signing a new deal.

Run-in Difficulty

United's remaining nine matches are not a walk in the park by any means but they could certainly have been more taxing. United open up with tough games away to Tottenham and at home to Sheffield United, both of whom chasing fourth place, but after that United have reason for real optimisim.

Each of their last seven opponents currently occupy a bottom-half position in the table and they still have to play two of the bottom three. At this stage of the season that can certainly prove more difficult than expected, with sides around relegation desperate to avoid the drop. Nevertheless, United will go into all seven of those games as clear favourites.

Dropping points in their first two games would be disappointing for United but it doesn't mean they are down and out. A favourable run-in provides them the opportunity to claw back any deficit, particularly compared to Chelsea's. Using WhoScored.com's unique rating system, the difficulty of Chelsea's opponents is the fifth hardest in the division (6.78).

Finishing fifth may even be good enough for United to secure Champions League football for next season if City's European ban is upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but Solskjaer's side cannot afford to get complacent.

Current League Position: 5th (three points off fourth)