Manchester United losing to Leeds United in the Premier League leaves them level on points with Aston Villa and just three ahead of Liverpool, but still seven above Chelsea in sixth
Manchester United's return to Premier League action proved one to forget following the international break after Leeds United beat them 2-1 at Old Trafford. They finished the match with ten men after the sending off of Lisandro Martinez for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair.
Michael Carrick's side began sluggishly, with the visitors breaking the deadlock through Noah Okafor, who proceeded to bag both Leeds goals. Just as United hoped to mount a second-half comeback and spare their blushes, Martinez saw red.
The incident initially went unnoticed. However, video assistant referee John Brooks instructed referee Paul Tierney to review the pitch-side monitor.
The defender will now sit out United's fixtures against Chelsea, Brentford and Liverpool, serving a three-match suspension for violent conduct. The blow is far from ideal for the Reds, who are battling to clinch Champions League football next season.
The loss leaves United level on 55 points with fourth-placed Aston Villa, while Liverpool sit three points adrift in fifth following their victory over Fulham. With that in mind, the Mirror has cast an eye over United's upcoming fixtures and compared them to those of their rivals in the battle for Champions League qualification.
Man United's next five fixtures
Chelsea (A) - Saturday, April 18
Brentford (H) - Monday, April 27
Liverpool (H) - Sunday, May 3
Sunderland (A) - Saturday, May 9
Nottingham Forest (H) - TBC
Aston Villa's next five fixtures
Sunderland (H) - Sunday, April 19
Fulham (A) - Saturday, April 25
Tottenham Hotspur (H) - Saturday, May 2
Burnley (A) - Saturday, May 9
Liverpool (H) - TBC
Liverpool's next five fixtures
Everton (A) - Sunday, April 19
Crystal Palace (H) - Saturday, April 25
Manchester United (A) - Sunday, May 3
Chelsea (H) - Saturday, May 9
Aston Villa (A) - TBC
Chelsea's next five fixtures
Man United (H) - Saturday, April 18
Brighton & Hove Albion (A) - Tuesday, April 21
Nottingham Forest (H) - Monday, May 4
Liverpool (A) - Saturday, May 9
Tottenham Hotspur (H) - TBC