Where are the possible banana skins for Manchester United, who face six games in fifteen days?

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was clear in his message. The next 15 days will be the start or end of a Premier League title challenge.

“This is a great match streak for us,” Solskjaer said ahead of a vital five-game rapid-fire league match that begins with Sheffield United on Thursday. ‘I would be disappointed if the players didn’t think we can present a challenge.

“From the kick-off against Sheffield United to the kick-off against Villa it’s 15 times 24 hours, so it will be very tight. Whoever finds consistency and energy will have a better chance than in recent seasons, because there have been some teams out of control ”.

The Old Trafford club are already eight points behind leaders Liverpool, but have played two fewer Premier League games than the reigning champions.

United’s toughest league test on paper during the holiday period comes in Leicester on Boxing Day, as they hope to keep their hopes of winning the League Cup alive when they travel to Everton three days earlier.

Here, Sportsmail looks at the club’s Christmas showdown, which consists of six crucial games in what will be a defining fortnight for the club and the manager.

Sheffield United (away) – December 17 – Premier League

Solskjaer could hardly have asked for a better match to kick off his streak of games during the festive period when his team visit Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United winless.

Chris Wilder’s men are last in the Premier League, with their only point so far this season coming from a home draw with Fulham in October.

The Norwegian insisted that the Blades boss has the ability to mentally deal with the pressure surrounding his future, but will secretly know that his team will enter as big favorites to secure victory.

The Norwegian may have seen a rather boring performance in the Manchester derby, but he will acknowledge the fact that his team has the quality to win again here.

Prediction: win

Leeds United (home) – December 20 – Premier League

Manchester United had planned to welcome 2,000 fans to this match if the city moved out of Level 3, but that plan is now on the back burner after the latest announcement.

Marcelo Bielsa’s team’s bold approach has made them the fickle side in the league this season, having beaten players like Newcastle 5-2 but also falling to resounding defeats like the 4-1 loss to Crystal Palace.

The Red Devils’ defensive woes mean they are likely to concede against an excellent attack from Leeds, with Patrick Bamford particularly in song with nine goals this season.

But the expansive playing style of the visitors should see the hosts exploit the gaps Leeds generally leave in defense and use the counter-attacking skills of Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes to devastating effect.

Prediction: win

Everton (away) – December 23 – League Cup

The Carabao Cup represents United’s first chance to win a trophy for the first time since May 2017, but it looks like they will face a resurgent Everton in the quarter-finals.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men had only one of their last six matches before a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty secured a crucial victory over Chelsea at the weekend, and they followed him up to defeat Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday night.

United, however, came off a losing streak following losses to Arsenal and Istanbul Basaksehir with a victory at Goodison Park last month following a double by Bruno Fernandes and a goal by Edinson Cavani in added time.

Both sides are likely to make changes given the hectic nature of the Christmas period and the need to rest due to the compact schedule, but this may still go all the way.

Prediction: Draw (United win on penalties)

Leicester City (away) – December 26 – Premier League

Possibly the toughest match during the festive period, United face the team they beat on the last day of last season to secure a Champions League at the expense of the hosts.

Leicester have had another successful start to the campaign and, as they did for much of last season, are currently in the top four as they look to improve after the heartbreaking 2019-20 finale.

However, two of the Foxes’ three most recent top flight games ended in setbacks to Fulham and Everton, meaning there is more than a glimmer of hope that the Old Trafford team could be ahead of the men. by Brendan Rodgers at the end of the game on Boxing Day.

Prediction: win

Wolves (home) December 29 – Premier League

This meeting last season marked the debut of Bruno Fernandes, but he couldn’t help but be a stubborn goalless stalemate between the two sides in February.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have looked relatively solid at the rear this season, but it is their final product that is currently of concern as only Arsenal and Fulham have scored fewer than their 13 teams that are not in the relegation zone.

However, a last-gasp goal from Pedro Neto secured a morale-boosting victory against Chelsea on Tuesday and, if that encourages them, it could prevent another monotonous draw at Old Trafford.

However, United have struggled at times nationally at home in 2020-21 with teams loosening up and therefore we may be heading for a draw this time around if the visitors show defensive endurance through players like Conor Coady.

Prediction: Draw

Aston Villa (home) – January 1 – Premier League

United’s streak of matches during the holiday period concludes with the visit of Aston Villa, who have been excellent on their travels this season.

Dean Smith has seen his team already rack up victories at Wolves, Arsenal and Leicester, and Liverpool’s visit to Villa Park ended with a 7-2 beating for Jurgen Klopp’s men.

Only West Ham have managed a Premier League home win against the West Midlands club this season, and even then VAR denied striker Ollie Watkins a tie in injury time.

That shows the task ahead for United against a vibrant Villa team. However, with the likes of Ollie Watkins, Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley they could give Harry Maguire and company. In the race, the hosts will want to counter their opponents.

Prediction: win