Manchester United have one foot and four toes in this season’s League Cup final after thrashing Nottingham Forest 3-0 at The City Ground on Wednesday.
Goals from Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes have given Erik ten Hag’s side a seemingly unassailable lead heading into next week’s semi-final second leg at Old Trafford.
Assuming they get the job done next Wednesday, the Red Devils are likely to face in-form Newcastle United at Wembley on February 26.
Newcastle, who currently sit third in the Premier League table, beat Southampton 1-0 at St Mary’s thanks to a 73rd-minute Joelinton goal earlier this week.
While the Magpies still have a little more to do than Man Utd in order to reach next month’s final, Eddie Howe’s men are now firm favourites to advance from their two-legged semi-final tie.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Joelinton of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring the team's first goal with teammates during the Carabao Cup Semi Final 1st Leg match between Southampton and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium on January 24, 2023 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Fixture congestion concerns Man Utd fans
United fans on Reddit, though, have expressed their concern after looking at their team’s hectic schedule for the end of January and February.
While Newcastle are only poised to play four matches before February 26, Man Utd will play eight times, including two particularly tough home and away games against La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Man Utd’s hectic schedule resumes on Saturday evening when they face Reading (H) in the FA Cup.
They then face Forest (H) and Crystal Palace (H) in the space of three days.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United, looks on prior to the Carabao Cup Semi Final 1st Leg match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United at City Ground on January 25, 2023 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Then, on February 8 and 12, Ten Hag’s side take on rivals Leeds United home and away in the Premier League.
Four days after that, they travel to Camp Nou for their first of two games against Barcelona.
Sandwiched in between those two games is a Premier League clash against Leicester City (H).
And three days after taking on Barcelona at Old Trafford, United will then head to Wembley for the League Cup final.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of Newcastle (left column) and Man Utd’s (right column) fixtures for the coming weeks:
(Credit: Reddit)
Let’s check out what fans are saying:
However, as others are keen to point out, a busy schedule during the second half of the season is simply the price of success.
Man Utd face Barcelona twice in February after finishing runners-up in their Europa League group.
Had they finished above Real Sociedad in Group E, they would have avoided the knockout round play-offs.
But they ended up second due to their slightly inferior goal difference and must now defeat Xavi’s Barça in order to secure their place in the Round of 16.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 25: Xavi, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, reacts during the Copa Del Rey Quarter Final match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Spotify Camp Nou on January 25, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
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