Our Manchester United fans here in the Transfer Tavern are hoping that Old Trafford can once again be a fortress, as they embark on what could be five season-defining games with four of them being at home.

After the scoreless away draw against Sevilla in United’s last 16 game, the Red Devils now have five matches across three competitions, that could seriously define how the season is going to pan out according to our barman.

Next up is a home game against fellow top-four team Chelsea, in which Jose Mourinho will be looking to get one over on his old team and widen the gap. After that comes an away day at resurgent Crystal Palace which will be a tricky encounter, given their 360 in the league over recent months.

The last one in the Premier League, United host bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford, always a huge game in the English footballing calendar. Indeed, it’s a game in which, by that point, our regular Mancs in the bar will be hoping that the point gap between themselves and the Reds isn’t as close as it is now.

The last two matches are in the Champions Leg return leg and a sixth-round tie against fellow Premier League side Brighton in the FA Cup. Our landlord takes a look at what two matches out of the five above, need to be a must win…

Return Leg v Sevilla

Although United do need to remain unbeaten in the two top-four clashes, the league is gone for the Red Devils and they have plenty of time to right any wrong in the league heading into next season. Whereas qualifying for the next round of the Champions League is the minimum that they must aim for this season to see a progression and start to build for next year.

If United don’t qualify, this season could be chalked off as a flop and many heads could roll.

FA Cup v Brighton

If Mourinho wants to aim to bring silverware to Old Trafford for the second season, then many in the bar feel that the FA Cup is United’s best chance. Having won it only a couple of seasons ago, the Red Devils will be eager for another day out at Wembley for the chance to win their 13th Fa Cup.

Brighton should be an easy tie at home and a good chance to progress to the later rounds for the Portuguese boss.