Man United have the toughest start to the Premier League season according to Opta | OneFootball

The fixtures list for the upcoming Premier League season was announced this morning with fans up and down the country now assessing their schedule for the new campaign.

Manchester United will be desperate to improve on last years horrific 15th place finish and know the value of staring the season well.

However, Ruben Amorim will need his players to be on top form if they are going to get off to a flyer with the opening five fixtures looking daunting for United.

In fact, as confirmed by Opta, the Red Devils face the toughest start to the new campaign, playing three of last year’s top four in the opening rounds.

United kick off the campaign at home to last season’s runners-up, Arsenal, who will keen to launch their bid for the title with a win at Old Trafford.

Mikael Arteta’s men needed a late equalizer from Declan Rice to take a point from the Theatre of Dreams last March, after a fine Bruno Fernandes free kick had given United the lead.

The fixture is one of the most historic in the Premier League era and should Amorim mastermind a victory on opening day, United fans will be dreaming of a fine season ahead.

Then comes Fulham away and newly promoted Burnley at home, two fixtures United will fancy themselves to get something from as they boast a decent record at Craven Cottage in recent years.

However, Fulham did knock United out of last year’s FA Cup and Scott Parker’s Burnley side were wonderfully organized in the Championship last term and will provide a test for Amorim’s expected new look attack.

Then comes the Manchester Derby – a fixture always eagerly anticipated and United are set to make the short trip across the City after the first international break of the campaign.

It’s been a mixed bag against City in recent times but Amorim and his side will draw confidence from the last gasp turnaround at the Etihad last year which provided one of the few highlights from a dreadful campaign.

United then welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford for Matchday 5. Enzo Maresca’s side snuck into the top four via a notable last day victory at Nottingham Forest last year and will be eyeing a title bid if they get off to a good start this time around.

Bruno Fernandes penalty was cancelled out by a superb Moisés Caicedo volley in a 1-1 draw in the same fixture last season with United perhaps unfortunate not to leave with three points on the day.

So, a tricky start for Amorim who will be well aware of the need for the team to click into gear in the early stages to ease the pressure on his shoulders brought on by last season’s woeful showing.

Before then, however, the Portuguese head coach will be keen to add to his squad quickly in the transfer market in order for him drill his methods into his first-team squad before the season gets underway on August 17.

Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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