Manchester United will launch their 2026-27 Premier League campaign with a trip to the MKM Stadium to face newly promoted Hull City.
The Red Devils will then bring the curtain down on the season at Old Trafford against Fulham on May 30, 2027.
After securing a third-place finish last season, expectations surrounding manager Michael Carrick and his squad have risen dramatically.
According to Opta, United have been handed the most favourable opening five fixtures of any Premier League club.
Here we take a closer look at how many points Man United could pick up from their first five games.
August
22: Hull City (A)
29: Ipswich Town (H)
September
5: Everton (A)
12: Manchester City (H)
19: Fulham (A)
Hull City and Ipswich Town are both expected to face a difficult battle for survival in their first season back in the Premier League.
For both clubs, simply reaching the 40-point mark and avoiding relegation will likely represent success.
United should view those opening two fixtures as must-win encounters.
Anything less than six points could immediately place unwanted pressure on Carrick and his players.
Trips to Everton and Fulham could be tricky.
David Moyes is an experienced manager who will ensure Everton are organised and difficult to break down.
However, United should possess enough quality to leave the Hill Dickinson Stadium with all three points, just as they did last season.
The Red Devils have won eight of their last nine visits to Craven Cottage.
Dropping points in that fixture could ultimately prove costly when every point matters in the race for major honours.
Carrick must make the most of pre-season and ensure his team are ready to collect 12 points from those four games.
The first Manchester Derby of the season is sandwiched between the trips to Everton and Fulham.
Man City have been the best English team over the past decade, courtesy of Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard will no longer be in the dugout for City, with former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca expected to replace him.
The derby could provide an early indication of the balance of power in Manchester.
Much may depend on how both clubs strengthen during the summer transfer window.
If INEOS can successfully solve United’s midfield issues and provide Carrick with a stronger squad, there is every reason to believe the Red Devils can secure another memorable victory over their city rivals.
15 points from 5 games could be a dream start for Carrick.
Stats from Sofascore.com