Leeds and Atletico Madrid can give Manchester United the perfect week

There's been a sense in recent weeks that Manchester United have been allowing their season to drift, counting down the days until a forgettable campaign can be put out of its misery.

That was certainly the feeling in the first half against Brighton on Tuesday night, when United's lifeless and joyless performance brought more howls of frustrations from the stands.

But as grim as the picture looked at the break United roused themselves for a crucial three points and if run-of-the-mill fixtures against Brighton and Burnley are feeling like a chore for an underperforming team, the same can't be said of the week ahead.

This group of players haven't scaled the heights expected of them this season, but if they need an extra edge to reawaken them two trips into enemy territory in the next few days should get the competitive juices flowing again.

United have looked low on confidence and while the fixture list since Ralf Rangnick's arrival has been routine, you could also argue it's been mundane, especially for a group who expected every match to count in a title race, not a battle to salvage fourth place.

A similarly slack approach will be pounced on at Elland Road and the Wanda Metropolitano, however. The locals in Leeds and Madrid will roar their disapproval of United's star-studded squad and it will be time to sink or swim.

Rangnick has taken to calling his team's performances 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' recently, given their inability to sustain a display over 90 minutes. It's not just been a slight drop-off either, but often a lurch from the good to the catastrophic.

Punishment will be meted out if United approach either of their next two games without being switched on and aggressive for 90 minutes. Rangnick hasn't always