Man Utd continue ridiculous Premier League record as Manchester City pay penalty
Premier League fixtures for 2025-26 have been released and Manchester United have continued a quirky run on the opening day as they take on Arsenal and Old Trafford
The Premier League fixtures for 2025-26 have been revealed and Manchester United have again been drawn at home for their opening match of the season. It marks the ninth season in succession that the Red Devils have kicked off their campaign at Old Trafford.
United welcome Arsenal on the opening weekend in the first Sunday 4.30pm clash of the season. There may be more difficult challenges in the Premier League these days, but at least at the Theatre of Dreams, Ruben Amorim's side can look to the draw they earned in March.
United have claimed victory in six of their last eight games on the opening day where they have had home advantage. Last term, United got off the mark with three points when Joshua Zirkzee bagged a late winning goal on his debut.
Brighton and Crystal Palace have both proven to be the spoiler in recent years however. The Seagulls earned a 2-1 in 2022, while the Eagles came away 3-1 victors in 2020.
And while United have enjoyed a consistent run of home matches to start their season, it means local rivals Manchester City have been dealt the opposite hand. The duo cannot play at home on the same weekend and are paired together to avoid a clash, much like Liverpool and Everton.
That is to prevent the overburdening of policing and travel resources. Even outside of such pairings, the Premier League fixture selection is designed to avoid having clubs from the same area travelling on the same train lines across the Football League and the Premier League to avoid 'pinch points' on rail and road networks.
City have managed the task of being on the road in the opening fixture pretty well, however. Only Tottenham, under Nuno Espirito Santo, have claimed victory against the Citizens with wins coming against Chelsea, Burnley, West Ham, Wolves, Arsenal, Brighton.
The eight-times Premier League champions last played at home on the opening day against Sunderland in 2016. That day saw a late Paddy McNair own-goal earn a City victory after goals from Sergio Aguero and Jermain Defoe.
United's last away trip on the first weekend of the season, also saw three points for a Manchester side. Goals from Marcus Rashford, Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young secured a 3-1 win over Bournemouth 3-1 as Chris Smalling netted an own-goal.
Despite the benefit of being able to play their first game at home, United have been deemed to have the most difficult start in the Premier League. Games against Fulham, Burnley, Manchester City and Chelsea follow the Arsenal clash, with a trip to Liverpool scheduled in October.
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