Manchester United’s fixture list for the 2021/22 Premier League campaign is now confirmed.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cannot complain too much about the hand he’s been dealt at the start of the season.
First up is a crunch clash at Old Trafford against bitter foes Leeds, before trips to Southampton and Wolves.
In September, United host Newcastle and Aston Villa, either side of a visit to the London Stadium to face West Ham.
After a poor start to 2020/21, United need to get off to a flier this time around. But how many points will we get from our opening six games?
United’s first six Premier League fixtures predicted:
Leeds (H)
United thumped Leeds 6-2 at Old Trafford last December, but Marcelo Bielsa’s side tightened up at the turn of the year.
The atmosphere inside Old Trafford should be electric and we’ll hope not to endure any football behind closed doors this season.
Leeds will be right up for it, but United have the pace and quality to open them up.
Prediction: 3-1 to United
Southampton (A)
United needed an escape act to win 3-2 at St Mary’s in November and will hope for a more serene afternoon here.
Of course it won’t be as one-sided as the 9-0 hammering at Old Trafford in February, but Solskjaer should oversee another win here.
Prediction: 2-1 to United
Wolves (A)
United’s clashes with Wolves are always tough and there’s not usually more than one goal between the sides.
The lineup will look very different to United’s last visit to Molineux – on the final day of last season – and Wolves will of course have a new man in the dugout too, Bruno Lage.
Prediction: 1-0 to United
Newcastle (H)
United did the double over Newcastle last season, scoring seven goals in the process.
Steve Bruce’s side can cause a threat on the break but it’s fixtures like this that United need to make light work of to launch a title challenge.
Prediction: 3-1 to United
West Ham (A)
United had some tough battles with the Hammers last season and David Moyes will hope to bolster his squad over the summer.
Of course United would have more chance of winning if Declan Rice is signed before this fixture – and Jesse Lingard could be in claret and blue by then too.
Prediction: 1-1
Aston Villa (H)
Plenty depends on United’s ability to keep Jack Grealish quiet in this one.
Do that, and it should be another home win. It’s easier said than done, though, and Emi Buendia will add another threat to their attack.
United won twice over Villa last season, and will expect to repeat the trick in 2021/22.
Prediction: 2-1 to United
16 points from 18
Five wins and a draw from the opening six games would represent a flying start showing United mean business.
Looking at the fixtures on paper, United should be capable of it. They’re facing good sides but not the country’s elite.
United need to set a strong pace if they want to be in the title fight and those opening weeks of the season will give us some clues as to whether that’ll be the case.
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