Man Utd's first six fixtures compared to Premier League rivals
By Euan Burns
The 2023/24 Premier League season is already a major topic of discussion despite the previous campaign only just ending. For Manchester United, there will be optimism about what can be achieved after a promising first season under Erik ten Hag.
Securing Champions League football was the stated aim for the Red Devils, so to finish third, win the Carabao Cup and reach the FA Cup final has to be seen as a positive campaign.
There is, however, the ownership situation hanging over Old Trafford. The club is yet to be sold and the saga seems set to continue dragging on.
Fans may be happy to see next season's league fixtures are now out so they can focus on what might happen on the pitch rather than the bids of Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Here are United's first six Premier League fixtures of the 2023/24 season and how they compare with immediate rivals.
Man Utd's first six fixtures
While not horrendously frightening, Man Utd have had easier starts to a season than this in the past. The two trips to north London to take on Tottenham and Arsenal certainly stand out as the toughest fixtures.
Wolves finished the season very strongly under Julen Lopetegui and Nottingham Forest could be a much more settled outfit by August, while Brighton will likely still be a very good side under Roberto De Zerbi. Vincent Kompany will also be desperate to get a result for Burnley at home.
If United can come through that set of fixtures with six victories, they would have to be taken seriously in the title hunt. Anything less than 12 points and there may be early concerns from the fanbase that no progress has been made over the summer.
Date / Kick-off Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
14/08/2023 / 20:00 | Man Utd v Wolves |
19/08/2023 / 15:00 | Tottenham v Man Utd |
26/08/2023 / 15:00 | Man Utd v Nottingham Forest |
02/09/2023 / 15:00 | Arsenal v Man Utd |
16/09/2023 / 15:00 | Man Utd v Brighton |
23/09/2023 / 15:00 | Burnley v Man Utd |
Man City's first six fixtures
The narrative gods know what they are doing with this first fixture. Vincent Kompany's Burnley will host recent treble-winning Manchester City at Turf Moor for their first game of the season. Given the way they ended the season, it seems almost remiss to say any one game is tough for Man City.
There is no reason to believe they will not be machine-like and ruthless again next term and this fixture list looks like one that will put them top of the table after six games.
Newcastle at home is certainly the hardest game for Pep Guardiola to deal with, but he will not fear any opponent right now. Man Utd may well need to win all six of their openers to have any chance of being level with Man City.
Date / Kick-off Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
11/08/2023 / 20:00 | Burnley v Man City |
19/08/2023 / 15:00 | Man City v Newcastle |
26/08/2023 / 15:00 | Sheffield Utd v Man City |
02/09/2023 / 15:00 | Man City v Fulham |
16/09/2023 / 15:00 | West Ham v Man City |
23/09/2023 / 15:00 | Man City v Nottingham Forest |
Liverpool's first six fixtures
There are two clear standout games here for Liverpool to fear, and the six games overall are not the easiest. Going away to Chelsea on the opening weekend is a very tough one to predict. With Mauricio Pochettino getting the whole summer to work with a talented squad, we have to assume they'll be better than last season.
A home game against Bournemouth is favourable, but then there is another tough away trip against Newcastle. If Liverpool do not hit the ground running, they could find themselves playing catchup very early when it comes to the title or top four race.
Aston Villa, Wolves and West Ham are all teams Liverpool will expect to beat but could also cause the Reds problems next season if they hold onto the right players during the summer.
Date / Kick-off Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
13/08/2023 / 16:30 | Chelsea v Liverpool |
19/08/2023 / 15:00 | Liverpool v Bournemouth |
26/08/2023 / 15:00 | Newcastle v Liverpool |
02/09/2023 / 15:00 | Liverpool v Aston Villa |
16/09/2023 / 15:00 | Wolves v Liverpool |
23/09/2023 / 15:00 | Liverpool v West Ham |
Arsenal's first six fixtures
This is very much a fixture list of two halves for Arsenal. They have been handed an ideal-looking first three games of the season to build some momentum before things get a bit tougher.
The victims of that could be Man Utd, as they are the fourth team to face last season's Premier League runners-up.
The Everton game is tougher to call given the Gunners lost the same fixture last time out, but if Arsenal can beat both Man Utd and Tottenham in their first six games they will at least think they have the edge on most top-four rivals.
Date / Kick-off Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
12/08/2023 / 12:30 | Arsenal v Nottingham Forest |
19/08/2023 / 15:00 | Crystal Palace v Arsenal |
26/08/2023 / 15:00 | Arsenal v Fulham |
02/09/2023 / 15:00 | Arsenal v Man Utd |
16/09/2023 / 15:00 | Everton v Arsenal |
23/09/2023 / 15:00 | Arsenal v Tottenham |
Newcastle's first six fixtures
We could learn a huge amount about Newcastle's ability to continue mixing it at the top of the table at the start of next season.
They have been handed a very tough run of games to get started. They need to take on both Man City and Liverpool, while matches against Aston Villa and Brighton could be really tough as well.
Man Utd will probably expect to be ahead of Newcastle by the end of the first six games and there will be concern if they are not, as it could come as a result of summer stagnation while others kick on.
Date / Kick-off Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
12/08/23 - 17:30 | Newcastle vs Aston Villa |
19/08/23 - 15:00 | Man City vs Newcastle |
26/08/23 - 15:00 | Newcastle vs Liverpool |
02/09/23 - 15:00 | Brighton vs Newcastle |
16/09/23 - 15:00 | Newcastle vs Brentford |
23/09/23 - 15:00 | Sheffield United vs Newcastle |
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