Manchester United’s first five Premier League fixtures in 2025/26 look incredibly tough on paper.
Ruben Amorim is under pressure to hit the ground running next season, but the Premier League fixture draw has not been kind to the Portuguese coach with Manchester United facing Arsenal on the opening weekend.
If that wasn’t a tough enough start already, the Red Devils also face Manchester City and Chelsea in their opening five league fixtures.
Amorim cannot afford a slow start, but the controversial Fifa Club World Cup could give the Red Devils an advantage.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim during post-season tour.
Photo by Annice Lyn/Manchester United via Getty Images
Man United rivals slowed by Fifa Club World Cup this summer
After struggling to get his ideas across to his players last season, Amorim will be looking forward to a full pre-season schedule this summer.
United start their pre-season with a friendly against Leeds United before jetting out to the United States to participate in the Premier League Summer Series.
Meanwhile, both City and Chelsea are set to have their pre-season disrupted after taking part in the controversial Club World Cup competition currently taking place.
Liam Delap featured for Chelsea in their opening Club World Cup clash against LAFC, while City kickstart their tournament against Wydad AC on Wednesday afternoon.
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With no European football next season, Amorim’s full focus will be on succeeding in the Premier League.
Now with tough fixtures in the early part of the calendar, many will be expecting United to start slowly, but that is a situation that could favour Amorim.
United’s squad should start the season energised and refreshed, and players will have the advantage of having no midweek fixtures in Europe.
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The first gameweek of Champions League fixtures take place between the 16th and 18th of September and United face City on September 13th and Chelsea on September 20th.
Therefore, Chelsea will only have a few days of rest before travelling to Old Trafford.