The international break is a time when clubs can reflect on how their season has progressed. For some, it’s a time to sack your boss or to dust yourself down and wait for battle to resume.

Betting on Manchester United in recent weeks hasn’t been the easiest task but December could be a time for closing the gap on the sides at the top of the Premier League. It’s a gap that must be narrowed or it could be another season hoping for a top four finish.

After the defeat in the Manchester derby, the odds on United winning the Premier League are as high as 100/1. Those kinds of odds are not what you expect to see after spending over £130 million in the summer. Definitely not what Cristiano Ronaldo imagined when returning to the club.

November ends with games at Watford and Chelsea, along with the vital Champions League game in Villarreal. United were nine points behind leaders Chelsea going into the international break. That was virtually ten because of the massive gap in goal difference between the two clubs.

When December begins, sportsbooks are unlikely to have odds much shorter than they were after the loss to City. Eight games must be played during December, seven of them in the Premier League. December isn’t going to be all about mince pies and trees. The best present in December will be a good run of form that increases confidence before 2022 arrives. That would silence the critics who say the title won’t be won this season.

December begins with two home Premier League games. December 2 sees United host Arsenal, a fixture that hasn’t produced good results for them in recent years. Three points have been earned from the last six Premier League games against the Gunners. All a bit frustrating, because a victory over Arsenal will be the 100^th that United have had over Arsenal.

The Gunners have shown improved form since their poor start to the new season. Most of their wins have come thanks to a rather friendly fixture list. Betting on United to kick off December with a home win might just be a good idea. If you are looking to be placing bets on United, then checking out the latest bet365 offers is a another to strongly consider.

Three days later, it’s Crystal Palace on their way to Old Trafford. The last three home Premier League games against Palace have failed to produce a victory. With only five points from their five away league games this season, an on-song United can be backed to get the three points.

The busy but hopefully successful schedule continues with the final Champions League home game. A home win here over Young Boys should take United into the knockout stages. The Swiss side beat United at home, but their next five games have produced two points with a couple of away defeats and no goals scored.

After three successive home games, United then have two Premier League fixtures on the road. Both are very likely to produce returns if betting on away victories. Norwich City are the opponents on December 11^th and even if new boss Dean Smith produces some improvement, United should be able to claim three points.

The same goes for the away trip to Brentford on the 14^th. The Londoners made a bright start to their first season in the Premier League. However, they lost four league games in a row leading up to the November international break. If that kind of form continues then United can be backed to get another win.

It all sounds like a dream, but the December fixture list is a friendly one. Not perhaps a gift from Santa but a thank you letter to the fixtures computer might be advisable.

Seven days before Christmas, United are home to Brighton and Hove Albion. The last six Premier League games against the Seagulls have all been won. When the international break came, Brighton were only behind United on goal difference.

However, Albion hadn’t won a league game since late September. They had become the draw kings in the Premier League with five in six games. Brighton at home is another home fixture that United should be looking at winning.

Once Christmas is out of the way, there are two final fixtures to play in 2021. A trip to Newcastle on the 27^th will be a fascinating one. The home side will be just days away from starting to spend their millions but could well still be in the relegation zone.

December 30 sees the final game of the year and it’s home to Burnley. Again, this is a match that should be won. December could well be magic for United and who knows what might happen in 2022?