At last, the Premier League is back. Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has spent the last few days lamenting the international break after it left him with a depleted squad, but he can at least be comforted by the return of football which actually means something.

One things these breaks do offer, aside of course from the thrills and spills of a home clash against Lithuania, is the chance to break the domestic season into sections, they’re often used as markers for success.

With that in mind, Mourinho is now going headfirst into perhaps the most important stage of his Manchester United career so far, as he battles to reach the top four with just eleven games to go in the Premier League.

The return of league fixtures presents the Red Devils with the visit of Tony Pulis’ West Brom side, who have been one of the stories of the season.

United have developed somewhat of a knack for dropping points at home to sides who, without and disrespect intended, they should be rather easily dispatching. You spend just shy of £100m on a midfielder and you expect to beat a Bournemouth squad with a total value the same as said midfielder (according to transfermarkt.com) on your own patch.

There is now no room left for such slips ups after the 1-1 draw with ten man Bournemouth put another dent in Mourinho’s hopes of top four qualification.

However, should they get things right against the Baggies, the Portuguese has a fantastic chance to pounce on the top four this weekend.

All at Old Trafford is not quite as bleak as has been made out, Mourinho’s side are still unbeaten in the Premier League since October and have two games in hand on their closest rivals. Furthermore, this weekend’s round of fixtures present the ideal chance to apply the pressure on those other sides pushing for the Champions League places.

First off, Liverpool – currently fourth – face Everton in the Merseyside Derby, both sides are in good form and there is no telling what could go on there. Meanwhile, in Sunday’s games Arsenal – sixth – welcome third placed Manchester City to The Emirates.

With four of Mourinho’s closest rivals facing eachother this weekend, something has to give. With a strong performance against Pulis’ side, resulting in three points, the Red Devils may not move far in terms of their current position, but it could do wonders for the weeks ahead.