Manchester United’s 2025/26 Premier League Fixture Preview: A Grueling Start Ahead?
The Premier League schedule for the 2025/26 season has been released, and Manchester United faces one of their toughest opening sequences in recent memory. The season kicks off at Old Trafford on August 17 with a major clash against Arsenal in a high-profile “Super Sunday” match.
Challenging Early Tests
After Arsenal, United must tackle a difficult London double-header: an away game at Fulham followed by a home match against newly promoted Burnley. But the real challenge begins in September with back-to-back tough fixtures against top clubs:
- Manchester City (away, Sept 13)
- Chelsea (home, Sept 20)
- Brentford (away, Sept 27)
By the fifth game, United will have faced arguably the hardest start in the league, going up against Arsenal, Fulham, Burnley, City, and Chelsea. According to Opta, this group of fixtures has an average difficulty rating of 94.6, making it nearly unprecedented.
Following a disappointing 15th-place finish last season, this opening stretch is critical for the team and manager Ruben Amorim, who is under pressure to quickly turn things around.
October and Beyond
If United survive September’s tough slate, October presents another crucial game at Anfield versus Liverpool on October 18, a fixture that could shape the season’s narrative.
The festive period in December offers a welcome break with comparatively easier matches against West Ham, Wolves, Bournemouth, Aston Villa, and Newcastle. However, the tough schedule resumes in January with local derbies and rematches against Arsenal and Manchester City.
What’s at Stake?
Experts and fans are already calling this a “nightmare schedule,” knowing that early results will heavily influence Amorim’s future. A strong start could ignite a title challenge, while poor form might doom the season.
Manchester United supporters are advised to brace for a demanding season from the very beginning. August’s opening match could set the tone for whether this team rises again or continues to struggle.