Man United will face a challenging start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign - but how do their opening games compare with those of their traditional rivals?
Manchester United ace Noussair Mazraoui tries to advance from Arsenal duo Mikel Merino and Thomas Partey.
Manchester United will face Arsenal on the opening day of the new season.
For the ninth season running, Manchester United will be at home for the opening weekend of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
The fixtures for the forthcoming season were released on Wednesday morning and United will face Arsenal in their opening game of the 2025/26 season at Old Trafford. The contest will take place on Sunday, August 17, kick-off 4.30pm.
United have been handed a tough start to the campaign, facing Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City in their opening five games, meaning Ruben Amorim's troops will face several stern tests at the beginning of their first full season under the Portuguese chief's stewardship.
With the fixtures having been released, MEN Sport has had a look at United's opening six games and compared them with those of their traditional big-six rivals:
Manchester United:
August 17: Arsenal (H)
August 23: Fulham (A)
August 30: Burnley (H)
September 13: Manchester City (A)
September 20: Chelsea (H)
September 27: Brentford (A)
Verdict: United have been handed a testing start to the 2025/26 campaign, with their opening day assignment against the Gunners ranking as one of the most difficult opening fixtures they could have been given.
A trip to Craven Cottage, despite United's impressive record on the banks of the Thames in recent years, is never an easy game. The game against Burnley at Old Trafford at the end of August is the most enterprising opportunity for points in the opening six matches.
Facing Arsenal, City and Chelsea in their opening five will offer an indication of where United are at come the start of the new season. However, United do have a tendency for turning up against the Premier League's elite.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim.
Ruben Amorim will be keen to make a strong start to the new season.
Arsenal:
August 17: United (A)
August 23: Leeds United (H)
August 30: Liverpool (A)
September 13: Nottingham Forest (H)
September 20: Manchester City (H)
September 27: Newcastle United (A)
Chelsea:
August 17: Crystal Palace (H)
August 23: West Ham United (A)
August 30: Fulham (H)
September 13: Brentford (A)
September 20: United (A)
September 27: Brighton & Hove Albion (H)
Liverpool:
August 15: Bournemouth (H)
August 23: Newcastle United (A)
August 30: Arsenal (H)
September 13: Burnley (A)
September 20: Everton (H)
September 27: Crystal Palace (A)
Mohamed Salah celebrates with Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo after scoring at Anfield.
Liverpool will be determined to retain their Premier League crown in 2025/26.
Manchester City:
August 16: Wolves (A)
August 23: Tottenham Hotspur (H)
August 30: Brighton & Hove Albion (A)
September 13: United (H)
September 20: Arsenal (A)
September 27: Burnley (H)
Tottenham Hotspur:
August 16: Burnley (H)
August 23: Manchester City (A)
August 30: Bournemouth (H)
September 13: West Ham United (A)
September 20: Brighton & Hove Albion (A)
September 27: Wolves (H)
*All dates are subject to change.