Rivals Watch: The three big games Man United fans will be tracking this weekend

Manchester United have shifted into top gear under the assured guidance of head coach Michael Carrick.

Sixteen points from the last 18 available have fuelled a surge that has reignited belief around Old Trafford.

The Red Devils now sit fourth in the Premier League table and are firmly in the hunt for a coveted return to the UEFA Champions League next season.

Yet there is little room for complacency, with several rivals still jostling for European qualification.

United supporters will be glued to their screens this weekend as three heavyweight fixtures involving direct competitors unfold.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa

Villa arrive having won just one of their last four league outings, a wobble that has slightly dented their momentum.

Despite that inconsistency, they will be fancied to overcome a Wolves side staring nervously at the prospect of relegation.

Villa currently occupy third place, but United will sense an opportunity to leapfrog them if their own blistering run continues.

Wolves must summon resilience and intensity to prise points away from Unai Emery’s disciplined and dangerous side.

Liverpool vs West Ham United

Liverpool host West Ham at Anfield on Saturday evening.

The Merseyside giants may have fallen short in their title defence, but their determination to seal Champions League qualification remains unwavering.

A favourable run of fixtures has bolstered their form, strengthening belief within the squad.

Meanwhile, the Hammers have managed just two wins in their last five league matches, leaving them precariously placed.

Currently 18th in the table, West Ham must deliver a performance of grit and conviction if they are to snatch valuable points at Anfield and climb out of the relegation zone.

Arsenal vs Chelsea

This London derby carries immense weight, influencing not only the top-four race but potentially the title battle itself.

Arsenal sit proudly at the summit, yet recent stumbles have invited renewed pressure from the chasing pack.

Those slips have reopened the door for Manchester City to reignite their championship ambitions.

A Chelsea victory could dramatically reshape both the title narrative and the top-four equation.

Conversely, defeat for the Stamford Bridge side would hand United a golden opportunity to widen the gap to six points over Chelsea.

Onus on Man United

The Red Devils hold their destiny firmly in their own hands as they seek to crown the 2025-26 campaign with a top-four finish.

With a squad brimming with quality and only one competition to focus on, consistency must now be their mantra.

Crucially, United still have daunting encounters against Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea on the horizon.

Those three high-stakes clashes could ultimately define whether this resurgence culminates in Champions League football or late-season heartbreak.

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .