When are Manchester United’s key Premier League matches as they aim to challenge for the title?

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The Premier League fixtures were announced on Wednesday and the excitement is starting to build ahead of the new season. It will be a very important campaign for Manchester United and Jose Mourinho, as they both need a title challenge to return to former glories. They did well to win two trophies and qualify for the Champions League, but that won’t be accepted again, as supporters are desperate for a serious title challenge. They haven’t managed one since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson and they can’t afford any more time out of the spotlight.

United start their campaign with a home match against West Ham United and they will be hoping to get off to a positive start. They have been given a kind start by the fixture computer as they don’t have to play one of last season’s top six until the 14^th October, when they will travel to Anfield to face Liverpool. That marks the beginning of a tough run of fixtures, as they will play Liverpool (A), Tottenham (H) and Chelsea (A) in the space of four matches. That will be a crucial period for the club and show us whether they will be serious title contenders.

Their first two matches of December will also be interesting as they do battle with Arsenal (A) and Manchester City (H). If they are in touching distance of the summit after the first Manchester derby, they will have to be considered as a real force in the league once more.

Mourinho’s men will make the short journey for the second Manchester derby on the 7^th April and that could be a huge game if both sides remain in the title race. That marks the first match of the run in, with games against West Brom (H), Bournemouth (A), Arsenal (H), Brighton (A) and Watford (H) to end the season.

That is a kind run in and will give supporters confidence that they can finish the season strongly. If they are going to challenge for the title next season, they will be in a great position to finish the job during the final six matches.

On Boxing Day, they will host Burnley and they will be hoping for a more positive result this year after a disappointing goalless draw in the corresponding fixture from last season. On New Year’s Day, they face a tricky trip to Goodison Park and that offers a potential banana skin to start the calendar year.

Although it has lacked the gravitas that it used to have in past seasons, the fixtures against Newcastle United will be worth watching as it will see Mourinho come up against an old rival in Rafa Benitez. They will host the Magpies on the 18^th November, before travelling to St James’ Park on the 10^th February.

The fixture list isn’t the worst for Manchester United, with the opening and closing six matches offering real hope that they can bookend the season with good runs. However, the defining period will come between the 14^th October and the 9^th December. During that time, they will face the rest of the top six as well as difficult tests against all three of the newly promoted sides. If they finish that period with a solid points haul, there is no reason that they can’t be serious challengers for the league title.

For a full week by week guide to all of the Premier League fixtures, see the Premier League

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