If Manchester United had ever wanted an easy fixture list to start their league campaign, it has got to be this season. For a club which, probably three months ago, did not even believe that a life without Sir Alex Ferguson was possible, suddenly find themselves heading into the Premier League under a new manager with a gruelling first five matches.
In their first five matches United face Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool along with Swansea and Crystal Palace.
Now many can argue that United are not the only team who are heading into the league with a new manager. It is rather the first time that the top three top sides of the previous seasons has had a change of guards with Chelsea rejoining with Mourinho and City replacing Mancini with Pellegrini. This apart, Everton will also be headed for the first time by ex- Wigan manager Roberto Martinez who has succeeded United Bound Moyes.
But the only point of difference is that while the other teams are accustomed to the managerial merry go rounds, United will be facing this situation for the first time in 26 years and therefore their acclimatisation may not be as smooth as their rivals. Considering this, United would have hoped for a relatively easier run of games to allow Moyes some breathing space up front and also the team to get used to the Scot’s style of coaching.
The first big one will be Moyes vs Mourinho on 24th of August with Chelsea and the Portuguese manager pumped up to prove his statement that he would have snubbed the United offer for Chelsea, he actually meant it. The next week on 31st August is the game against Liverpool, another tough match for Moyes. Moyes, being the previous manager of Everton, is no alien to having heated encounters with the Kops. But facing Liverpool being the United manager, who will be eager to validate Rodgers’ worth and break into to the top four, will be on a different scale altogether. Lastly on 21st of September they face their Manchester rival City, a team so eager to fetch results that it sacked its manager even after coming 2nd in the league.
Moyes’s initial days at Manchester United is sure to test his calibre as a manager but if he passes the initial five matches with flying colours, a new Manchester crowd favourite will be born.
Here we leave you with some tweets from United fans:
A tough start for this fella #Moyes #mufc pic.twitter.com/GRZQ3fk9S5
— Graeme Bandeira (@GraemeBandeira) June 19, 2013
"first 3 matches will be against swansea, chelsea and liverpool…this will show if moyes is the right manager for us #mufc "ffs 3 games!
— Shaun Morgan (@GrnManalishi) June 19, 2013
We start with Swansea, then Chelsea then Liverpool. What a test for David Moyes. #MUFC
— The Marwan A. (@Marwan_Ahmed10) June 19, 2013
At the end of the day there can be no excuses as he already has the team to win those games #mufc #moyes #fixtures
— Tony (@tonytigermufc) June 19, 2013
Bad Luck Moyes….3 Match in first 5 Match…faces Big Team… #MUFC
— Achmad Soni Adiffa (@Sooney_) June 19, 2013
Still feel we need some signings though. You've got to feel that Thiago and Strootman are the bare minimum. Quality wingers please! #mufc
— Kunal Gupta (@kunalg57) June 19, 2013
#mufc have won 13 openers, drawn 4 and lost only 4 throughout the Premier League’s 21-year history!
— mutiga kori utd (@mt_foxx) June 19, 2013
From United's first 5 fixtures you can make out that Sir Alex has retired! #WelcomeToTheRealWorld #MUFC
— dyutiman_b (@dyutsb) June 19, 2013
first 3 matches will be against swansea, chelsea and liverpool…this will show if moyes is the right manager for us #mufc #excited
— kentucky fried jonny (@heresj0nny) June 19, 2013
Looking at our first 5 premierleague fixtures, moyes is going to thrown into the deep end with these games. #MUFC
— Taj S Padda (@Taj_Padda) June 19, 2013
A comfortable win in the Community Shield in David Moyes first competitive game in charge vs Wigan will do him no harm. #MUFC
— Jack Boorman (@UnitedHeaven_) June 19, 2013
The first Manchester derby is at the Etihad Stadium on September 21st with the return at Old Trafford on March 1st. #mufc #mcfc
— BBC Radio Manchester (@bbcradiomanc) June 19, 2013