MANCHESTER UNITED will have a torrid time trying to balance success in both the Premier League and Europe net season due to a horror fixture pile-up.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led his side back into the top four of the Premier League, securing a seat at Europe’s top table for next season.
Man Utd face a tough first half of the season due to a staggering fixture pile-upCredit: AP:Associated Press
MAN UTD’S LEAGUE FIXTURES AFTER EUROPEAN GAMES
Sat 24 Oct – Chelsea (H)
Sat 31 Oct – Arsenal (H)
Sat 7 Nov – Everton (A)
Sat 28 Nov – Southampton (A)
Sat 5 Dec – West Ham (A)
Sat 12 Dec – Man City (H)
Man Utd finished third in an exhilarating late run, sealed on the final day of the 2019-20 season.
But with tricky Champions League ties ahead during the autumn, their domestic form could suffer due to a string of tough games.
Between late October and early December, Man Utd will play their six Champions League group stage games.
But not only is that six extra matches to balance, they also have some incredibly tough Premier League games coming just days after those midweek clashes.
After their first Champions League group stage game, Man Utd will then host Chelsea just three or four days later on October 24.
A week later, United will welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford on the back of their second European run-out of the season.
Man Utd also face potentially tricky trips away to Everton, Southampton and West Ham immediately on the back of a Champions League tie.
And after their potentially-pivotal sixth and final group stage game in Europe, they must host rivals Manchester City for their derby showdown.
Solskjaer may need to add half a dozen new faces to his squad just to avoid fatigue setting in and being forced to sacrifice one tournament for the sake of the other.
The Premier League fixtures were announced on Thursday morning.
And it’s fair to say they weren’t all that kind on Man Utd – who must face Tottenham, Arsenal AND Chelsea in their first six matches.
Their first game of the season sees them welcome Crystal Palace after their game against Burnley was postponed due to United’s participation in Europe.
Premier League 2020-21 opening day fixtures revealed
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
