Manchester United have split up their 19 home Premier League matches in 2025/26 into three different categories.
Monday marks the beginning of Manchester United’s pre-season training at Carrington as the preparations begin for the upcoming season.
Following the pre-season tour of the United States, the 2025/26 Premier League campaign begins with an opening weekend clash against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim faces a tough start to the season with Chelsea and Manchester City also in the first five fixtures of the new season.
Ruben Amorim waves to Manchester United fans in Hong Kong.
Photo by Qin Zhicheng/VCG via Getty Images
Man United name six Premier League rivals as ‘Category A’ opponents
Since the takeover, Ineos have enraged fans over ticket prices after they controversially raised prices to £66 last season.
In the latest Fans’ Forum, United announced that all Premier League home matches have been broken down into three categories which will determine price.
It has been revealed that there are six “Category A” games which include: Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
‘Category A’ matches Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool
‘Category B’ matches Burnley, Brighton, Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth, Fulham,Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Leeds United, Brentford, Nottingham Forest
‘Category C’ matches Sunderland, Wolves
Manchester United match categorisation for 2025/26.
The traditional ‘Big Six’ rivals all feature in the top category, alongside Newcastle United who achieved Champions League qualification and won the League Cup last season.
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The only ‘Category C’ matches selected are newly-promoted Sunderland and Wolves, who sold Matheus Cunha to United for £62.5m earlier this summer.
Man United must target top six finish next season
United are used to sitting on the throne of English football, but after a decade of underperformance, Amorim’s task is to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.
Amorim promised ‘good times are ahead’ for United following the misery of the 2024/25 campaign which saw the Red Devils finish 15th in the Premier League and trophyless.
This season, Ineos want Amorim to finish top six, securing a return to European football.
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Without Europe, United are falling further and further behind their rivals, and the latest categorisation suggests that Newcastle are now being considered as a big rival.
The traditional ‘Big Six’ is being broken up, and United cannot afford to no longer be a part of the English football elite. Pressure is on to perform next season.