Manchester United Fixture List Reaction

The 2017/2018 Premier League schedule was released yesterday morning. Fans across the world flocked to their computers and phones in anxious anticipation, as their entire seasons flashed before their eyes, crushing their spirits or offering optimism to wary souls. A lot has been made about different teams starts to the year, especially Everton and Stoke City. However, a poor beginning does not damn a season, especially when a team’s form against the top six does not make or break their league favor. The section of the season that separates the contenders from those destined for the Europa League is the fixture congested winter months. Teams that come through the holiday period, into the end of January are the best off at the end of the season.

With that in mind, it seems that United have a favorable schedule for this coming year. Their games against the typical title favorites are back to back before the heavy fixture congestion (Tottenham Oct. 28-Chelsea Nov. 4, Arsenal Dec. 2-Man City Dec. 9) and then they are spread out after the holiday season. In theory, this will be beneficial for United because games against lower level competition will provide an opportunity to pick up points from teams that they should be beating, regardless of player’s fitness or form, and have their strongest sides available to play against higher level competition. Playing in both the Premier League and the Champions League will be a challenge for this current United side, but at least they have the talent in their best squad to compete against the best in the Premier League, regardless of how they start off.