Manchester United's next six Premier League fixtures compared with Chelsea, Liverpool and other rivals

Manchester United find themselves fifth in the Premier League table as we arrive at the first international break of the season.

After losing their opening two matches, United found a spark and put together a run of four successive victories, the latest of which was a 3-1 win over current table-toppers Arsenal more than a fortnight ago. After the win over the Gunners, the Reds were scheduled to play another two matches before the season paused for the current break, but they were both postponed following the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

It means that United have played one game fewer than three of the four sides currently above them in the table. However, the resumption of the campaign on October 2, which will see Erik ten Hag's troops make the short hop to the Etihad Stadium to face neighbours Manchester City, marks the beginning of a hectic period, as United will have to navigate their way through six league matches in the space of just 29 days.

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It promises to be a demanding period for everyone, meaning Ten Hag will need every member of his squad fit and firing, with the Reds also going to have to manage their Europa League campaign simultaneously. With a big period on the horizon, MEN Sport has taken a close look at United's next six Premier League fixtures in comparison to those of their expected top-four rivals.

Verdict: An equal split with three games at home and three on the road, October will give an even clearer indication of the sort of progress United are making under Ten Hag this season. They are expected to compete for a top-four berth and are currently outside of the Champions League places by just a point after their