Manchester United’s quest to finish in the top-four this season is set to go down to the wire.
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Manchester United passed up the opportunity to open up a four-point gap on fifth-placed Arsenal after being held to a goalless draw by Watford at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
Despite creating a plethora of opportunities either side of the half-time interval, United — who currently occupy fourth-place with 47 points to their name — were unable to find a way past a spirited Ben Foster in the Watford goal.
Alex Telles, Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo all had chances to score, but it proved to be an afternoon of wasteful finishing that let United down, meaning they failed to improve their position in the race for Champions League qualification.
Although United were disappointed not to secure all three points, the draw did extend their unbeaten league run to eight matches, meaning, overall, they remain in decent form.
However, with Arsenal boasting three games in hand on United, and just seven points separating United in fourth and Wolves in eighth, the race for the final Champions League spot is set to go right down to the wire.
With that in mind, MEN Sport has taken a close look at United's next six league fixtures in comparison to their fellow top-four hopefuls.
On paper, United's next six games look increasingly difficult, especially the first three.
After facing Manchester City next weekend, United face Liverpool at Anfield a fortnight later, meaning two of their next three outings are against the current top two.
After facing Liverpool, they welcome Leicester City to Old Trafford, before making the short trip to Merseyside to lock horns with Everton.
Norwich City visit Old Trafford to complete their set of next six games.
United's next six games:
Still competing in the FA Cup and the Europa League, West Ham have a mountain of fixtures to get though between now and the international break towards the end of March.
The Hammers travel to Anfield to face Liverpool next weekend, before welcoming Aston Villa to the capital in mid-March.
The visit of Everton on April 3 will represent the Hammers' first home game since the clash with Villa, but they face rivals Tottenham in what could be a defining game in the top-four race a couple of weeks earlier.
Burnley's visit to the London Stadium April 16 will conclude the Hammers' next six Premier League matches, but two clashes with Sevilla and an FA Cup tussle with Southampton are also on their schedule between now and then.
West Ham's next six games:
With three games in hand on United and West Ham, Arsenal are likely to be the biggest competitor in the battle for fourth.
Their fixture list over the coming weeks offers a real mixed bag of opposition, ranging from relegation-threatened Watford to title hopefuls Liverpool.
The Gunners also have back-to-back away games against Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, with Brighton & Hove Albion visiting the Emirates Stadium on April 9.
Arsenal's next six games:
With two wins in their last three games, Tottenham have made it clear that they should be taken seriously in the top-four battle.
Despite a minor blip against Burnley, Spurs have won two of their last three games, scoring seven goals in the process, meaning they will be confident of adding to their tally against struggling Everton next Monday evening.
A trip to Old Trafford to face United follows the visit of Frank Lampard's side, before visiting Brighton a few days later. West Ham and Newcastle then offer Spurs back-to-back home games.
Spurs will conclude their run of next six league games with a trip to Villa Park on April 9.
Spurs' next six games:
With one game in hand on United as things stand, although yesterday's 1-0 defeat to West Ham was damaging, Wolves should not be ruled out of the top-four race just yet, even if they are less fancied.
But upcoming back-to-back home games against Crystal Palace and Watford to kick-off March look like good prospects for points.
Bruno Lage's side then face back-to-back games against relegation-threatened Everton and Leeds United, meaning March could be a defining month in Wolves' campaign.
They kick-off April at home to Aston Villa, before facing Newcastle.
Wolves' next six games:
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