Preview 2013/14: November

Fixtures: 2 Nov Fulham A | 9 Nov Arsenal H | 23 Nov Cardiff City A | 30 Nov Tottenham A

First thought: Three tricky aways and Arsenal’s OT visit make it a hard month.

Toughest test: United encountered a blizzard of Spurs pressure at a snowy White Hart Lane last term and the fact that a 1-1 draw was so valued by the Reds emphasised the difficulty of the task. Now a season wiser, André Villas-Boas’ side are perhaps an even sterner prospect, especially coming just days after United play a Champions League group game and at the end of a month of lengthy away trips.

Subplot: The Reds play Cardiff for the first time in almost 40 years. In 1974/75, United were seeking to bounce back from relegation when they won 1-0 at Ninian Park and 4-0 at OT en route to the Division Two title and promotion back to the top flight.

Miles to travel: 1,207

Last August: P5 W4 D0 L1 (United 2-1 Arsenal; Villa 2-3 United; Norwich 1-0 United; United 3-1 QPR; United 1-0 West Ham)

Rival watch: Arsenal: Liverpool H, United A, Southampton H, Cardiff A; Chelsea: Newcastle A, WBA H, West Ham A; Man City: Norwich H, Sunderland A, Spurs H