Six fixtures Manchester United simply must win in Premier League top four race

With 11 games to go, Manchester United's hopes of competing in the Champions League next season are hanging by a thread.

Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium has left them 11 points shy of the top four places, meaning they are going to need to put together a monster run of form to stand any chance of competing in Europe's premier club competition next term. Aston Villa, who are currently fourth, beat Luton Town 3-2 on Saturday to open up an 11-point gap prior to United crossing the Manchester divide.

Sandwiched between Villa in fourth and United in sixth are fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. The Londoners recorded a win of their own on Saturday, beating Crystal Palace 3-1, meaning they are five points behind Villa and six clear of United.

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This forthcoming weekend will see Villa and Spurs go head-to-head in what could prove to be a season-defining fixture for both at Villa Park. With at least one of them guaranteed to drop points, United need to take full advantage when they face Everton 24 hours earlier.

The Toffees, despite having their points deduction reduced last week, are still not out of the woods as far as the relegation picture is concerned, currently finding themselves just five points clear of Luton Town, who do have a game in hand. It means the Toffees will be just as desperate for all three points as United when they visit M16 on Saturday lunchtime.

The clash with Everton will mark United's final Premier League outing before the March international break, meaning it could well dictate the mood around the club, as well as have an