Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United will play Chris Houghton’s Newcastle United at Old Trafford on the opening day of the Premier League season, which kicks of on 14 August. Ferguson’s men will then travel to London to face Fulham at Craven Cottage before playing West Ham United back in Manchester during the first week of the season.
Champions Chelsea face West Bromwich Albion in the Midlands on opening day, Manchester City go to Champions League qualifiers Tottenham Hotsport while Arsenal and Liverpool play each other at Anfield.
Other notable fixtures include the derbies against Manchester City on 10 November at Eastlands and the return at Old Trafford on 12 February 2011. United face Liverpool at home early in the season on 18 September and then at Anfield on 5 March. Meanwhile London sides Arsenal and Chelsea come to Old Trafford on 11 December and 7 May respectively, with the away games on 30 April and at Chelsea on 18 December.
It could be a tough start to the season for Ferguson, with the Premier League kicking off just a month after the World Cup finishes, the Scot may be without several first team players, who will each be given 28 days off before starting pre-season training.
While Chelsea has the same issue, with even more players attending the World Cup than United, the London club’s opening fixtures are kind, with five winnable games before they travel to Manchester City in late September. By United’s first six fixtures include matches against Fulham, Liverpool and Everton.
United also faces a tough run-in if Ferguson’s side is to regain the Premier League trophy in 2010/11. Starting at Liverpool on 5 March, United’s final 10 fixtures include games against Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton and Fulham before concluding with a final-day match at home to newly promoted Blackpool.
The Champions League, the draw of which does not take place until August, will also have an impact on United’s Premier League schedule. United lost a significant number of games following European fixtures last season. In 2010/11 United will face tough matches against Liverpool and Arsenal immediately after group stage fixtures before the New Year.
Should United qualify for the Champions League knockout stages then Ferguson’s men can expect a packed schedule, with each of the Champions League knockout rounds again split over four nights to maximise television viewing figures.
Since the Premier League demands a license to print a full fixture list you can get it from the official club mouthpiece, ManUtd.com, here.
The Champions League schedule for 2010/11 is available here.
Could be a tough start against the Geordies – if my memory serves my right, didn’t we draw 0-0 with them on the opening day a few seasons ago?
We actually drew 1-1 that time, went behind to an Obafemi Martins goal, but equalised soon after (Fletcher?)
I personally can’t wait, and will do my very best to be there! COME ON UNITED!!!
Yep, it was Fletch – old match report here: http://goo.gl/exRn
Indeed we did, Gaz, the very same season Newcastle got relegated. I clearly remember Shay Given saving a power header from Frazier Campbell with his head!
And didn’t we play them early years ago when Andy Cole scored against us….
any one have forlan to score first last night lads ihad 3quid at 9/2 get in
on the fixtures off the top of head dident we have b/pool last game of the season in 1975 when we got prom i was in strefford end paddock then f…hell and ran on the pitch at the end