Mark Goldbridge fears nightmare start for Man United | OneFootball

Nightmare Start for Amarim: Manchester United’s Brutal Opening Premier League Fixtures Spark Goldbridge Rant

Early Fixture Release Stuns United Fans

The Premier League 2025-26 fixtures have been leaked early, and for Manchester United, the news is nothing short of a baptism of fire. As revealed on The United Stand by Mark Goldbridge, the Red Devils face a daunting start next season. “We will play Arsenal first game of the season,” Goldbridge confirmed, before adding with disbelief, “We’ve also got Manchester City and Chelsea in the first five Premier League fixtures.”

That schedule has ignited concern among the fanbase and presenters alike. While some argue that “you’ve got to play them all at some point,” Goldbridge was quick to dismiss such logic: “That doesn’t actually work… If you had to play the five best teams [in the] first five games of the season and you lose them, momentum, confidence disappears.”

Momentum Matters: “We Need Those Players in Now”

Goldbridge didn’t hold back in his criticism of the club’s transfer dealings either, calling out Manchester United’s approach to the summer window. “There is absolutely no way that we should be sat there negotiating five million pounds,” he exclaimed. “They better stop trying to save 3 million quid here because it’s good for the bank balance. We need those players in now, we need them in for pre-season.”

Referencing comments made by Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada, Goldbridge expressed frustration at the club’s slow pace. “It makes a mockery of what Berrada said about it’s good for the club to take our time on transfers and save money,” he said. With matches against Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea all coming before mid-September, the urgency for signings has never been greater.

Pressure on Amorim: “Amorim Out Before Christmas?”

The pressure on Amorim could be immense from day one. “If you are an Amorim outer, I’d put your money on Amorim out before Christmas,” Goldbridge quipped, making it clear how pivotal the early season form will be.

Laying out the opening five fixtures – Arsenal at home, Fulham away, Burnley at home, Manchester City away and Chelsea at home – Goldbridge predicted a tough start: “We’ll do well to get six [points] from 15.” In a sobering breakdown, he added, “Arsenal, draw; Fulham, draw; Burnley, win; Man City, lose; Chelsea, draw – six points from 15. Amorim out.”

The comparison to Wolves’ 2023-24 campaign was stark. “They had a difficult start and they never really recovered until after Christmas,” he said, using it as a cautionary tale for what could await United.

Fixture Scheduling Under Scrutiny

The timing of such heavyweight clashes also drew scrutiny, with Goldbridge questioning the Premier League’s fixture logic. Responding to a viewer asking whether the fixtures were rigged, he stated, “I wouldn’t say they’re rigged, but they have parameters… Arsenal Liverpool would never come out opening game of the season because they’ll think that they’re going to win the league.”

He went further in explaining how fixtures are structured, not randomised: “They’ll look at international fixtures, they’ll look at when the FA Cup third round is. They will put certain things in place so certain games happen at certain times.”

Positive Spin? “We’re Cooking Mate”

Despite the doom-laden start, Goldbridge found a silver lining in typical tongue-in-cheek fashion. “From a United Stand point of view, massive views – first five games – Arsenal opening day, biggest one of the season, Man City four games after that – we’re cooking mate,” he laughed.

He rounded off the clip with one clear message: “This is the best thing that could have happened. We’ve got three of our hardest games of the season in the first five games, and if we’re not ready to go for that first game, Amorim could be staring at three points from 15.”