Why March is massive for United
As we enter the month of March, there is no doubting the significance of the next 31 days for the Reds.
There are a host of fixtures to come across the league, cup, and Europe for our teams in the coming weeks, and the competitive landscape for each side could look very different come the end of the month.
Here’s what awaits our teams in March…
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TOUGH TESTS AT THE START OF THE MONTH
The crucial month begins with United Under-19s UEFA Youth League action, with the teenage Reds hosting Borussia Dortmund at Leigh Sports Village on Tuesday 1 March, hoping to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.
Both United Women and our Under-18s have fixtures on Saturday 5 March. Marc Skinner’s side host Leicester City at Leigh Sports Village in the Women’s Super League while an Under-18 Premier League fixture will see the Under-18s take on Manchester City in a derby at Carrington.
The week ends with another derby, as Ralf Rangnick’s side travel to the Etihad Stadium to lock horns with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. This will be the 187th meeting between the two clubs, and United will be looking for a repeat of last March when the Reds ran out 2-0 winners.
STACKED SATURDAY ON THE SECOND WEEK
There is just one midweek fixture in the seven days following the derby, as the Under-18s are once again in Under-18 Premier League action against Blackburn Rovers at Moss Lane on Tuesday 8 March. With the original fixture being abandoned due to Storm Eunice, the teenage Reds will be looking to blow away their opponents this time out.
Saturday 12 March features a home fixture for the First Team, while United Women and the Under-18s are both on the road.
Ralf Rangnick’s side host fellow top-four rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, with kick-off slated for 17:30 GMT. Five points currently separate the sides, but the Londoners have two games in hand, meaning this one comes under the heading of ‘must-win’.
But before the First Team is in action, the fixtures for both Marc Skinner’s and Travis Binnion’s teams get underway in the morning. United Women are away to Reading in the WSL, while our Under-18s are in Liverpool for an Under-18 Premier League clash.
MANIC MID-POINT
As we hit the middle of the month, the fixtures come thick and fast for all our teams, with Champions League, Premier League, WSL matches all taking place within the space of just six days.
Neil Wood’s Under-23s travel to Leeds on Monday 14 March for a Premier League 2 clash at Elland Road. This fixture is however subject to change should the young Reds progress in the UEFA Youth League.
The standout fixture of the week falls on Tuesday 15 March, when Atletico Madrid visit Old Trafford for the second leg of the Champions League round-of-16. The fixture is scheduled to kick-off at 20:00 GMT, and after the 1-1 draw in the first leg, it is still all to play for in this tie.
United Women are also in action in midweek, traveling to the capital to face West Ham in the WSL. The Reds ran out 4-2 winners away against the Londoners last season, and Skinner will be looking for a repeat this year.
As the weekend creeps in, our Under-23s face Everton at Old Trafford in the Premier League 2. This fixture is scheduled for a 19:00 GMT start, but it is another that could be moved if Neil Wood’s side progresses in the UEFA Youth League at the start of the month.
Friday 18 March is also the date of the Champions League quarter and semi-final draws, and Reds’ supporters will be keeping an eye on that, should Ralf Rangnick’s side overcome Atletico Madrid on 15 March.
Travis Binnion’s Under-18s host Leeds United on Saturday 19 March at 11:00 GMT in the Under-18 Premier League, before the First Team, are scheduled to travel to Liverpool for a Premier League fixture at 16:30 GMT on Sunday 20 March.
However, the trip to Anfield is dependent on Liverpool’s progression in the FA Cup. Jurgen Klopp’s side host Norwich in the fifth round on Wednesday, and should they progress, the date of our clash will be altered.
INTERNATIONAL BREAK
There is an international break at the end of the month, meaning that there will not be any fixtures for the First Team.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay, Fred, Alex Telles, Edinson Cavani, and Victor Lindelof are all expected to represent their countries in 2022 World Cup qualifiers, while many other Reds players will also feature in international friendlies.
A fixture to keep an eye on is Ivory Coast’s visit to France, as Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane are likely to line up against United team-mate Eric Bailly.
Our Under-18s have two fixtures in the final week of March, with Travis Binnion’s team traveling to Sunderland in the Under-18 Premier League on Thursday 24 March, before hosting an FA Youth Cup fixture on Saturday 26 March. The young Reds’ opponents are yet to be confirmed.
United Women close this massive month out with an enormous WSL fixture at Old Trafford. Marc Skinner’s team host Everton on Sunday 27 March and kick-off is scheduled for 12:30 GMT. Tickets for this match are still available to buy.