Why December is a key month for United

Although Christmas is traditionally a time for giving, minds at Manchester United remain focused on selfish matters as Louis van Gaal’s men prepare for six fixtures that could potentially decide whether this will be a season to be jolly.

Yes, this December, the Reds plan to take, take, take and the wish list is quite simple: maintain the challenge for the Barclays Premier League title and remain in the UEFA Champions League. But will both have been achieved by the turn of 2016? That remains to be seen, but what you can guarantee is high drama and a period when decisive momentum can be built or dismantled in just a matter of days.

Here is ManUtd.com’s handy guide to December, focusing on the different challenges posed by the six matches ahead and the two intriguing cup draws in which United will feature…

5 DEC: WEST HAM (H), 15:00 GMT
This is a big one, right? After drawing with PSV Eindhoven and Leicester City, United must return to winning ways against a Hammers side that is also without a win in four. Slaven Bilic’s men are excellent travellers though and have beaten Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City on the road this season.
Any sub-plots? Wayne Rooney could become the 10th player to make 500 United appearances.

7 DEC: FA CUP DRAW
Save the date: The third-round draw will be held on Monday night at the Wales Sports Awards in Cardiff and United will be among the 64 teams in the pot. Fixtures will be played on 9 or 10 January.

8 DEC: WOLFSBURG (A), 19:45 GMT
Is it sink or swim? That’s correct… van Gaal’s men need a win in Germany to guarantee safe passage from Group B, although a draw will be enough if PSV draw at home against CSKA Moscow.
Any sub-plots? The Reds will go into the Europa League if qualification for the Champions League's last 16 can't be achieved. The match will also be Bastian Schweinsteiger's first club game in his homeland since joining United from Bayern Munich.

12 DEC: BOURNEMOUTH (A), 17:30 GMT
More travel? Yep! After Wolfsburg, United travel south to face Eddie Howe’s attack-minded optimists in the late kick-off. That may not be an ideal time for travelling fans, but a weekend by the seaside might tempt some to stay over and hopefully celebrate three invaluable points on the coast.
Tell your mates: United have faced Bournemouth on eight occasions – but never in league competition.


14 DEC: EUROPEAN DRAWS
Which competition? UEFA will hold the draws for the Champions League's last 16 and the Europa League's last 32 in Nyon, Switzerland, but United’s involvement will be determined by the result in Wolfsburg.

19 DEC: NORWICH CITY (H), 15:00 GMT
An early Christmas present? Van Gaal’s men will be heavy favourites in the second of two consecutive matches against newly-promoted teams, but the Canaries are plucky opponents who won’t go down easily. Victory for United could be of added importance with Arsenal set to host Manchester City two days later.

26 DEC: STOKE CITY (A), 12:45 GMT
The fabled test: Can you do it on a cold, wet and windy day in Stoke? That’s the mythical test of quality in the Barclays Premier League and it’s never easy, as van Gaal learned last season when his men drew 1-1 at the Britannia Stadium on New Year's Day. Can the Reds go one better this time around?

28 DEC: CHELSEA (H), 17:30 GMT
Is this the big one? Although the champions are languishing in the bottom half of the table, beating them remains a huge positive and victory from our final game of 2015 would provide a spectacular boost. Tired legs could play a factor, though, just two days after the Boxing Day trip to Staffordshire.
Any sub-plots? Radamel Falcao could return to Old Trafford following his season-long loan in 2014/15 and Pedro, who was linked heavily with United in the summer, may also feature.

Source: Manchester United website.