Fixture release day is always highly anticipated, with everybody intently searching for every key date. After a supposedly more routine start in relation to quality of opposition, difficulty intensifies through a congested schedule consisting of meetings with many of the powerhouses amidst Champions League commitments. The close of 2021 and beginning of the new year offer some respite by way of oppositional toughness, though many crucial crunch encounters fall sporadically across the latter stages of the campaign - especially within a challenging March.
It's a monumental clash to kick things off in August as Leeds travel to Old Trafford, where everyone will hope a sufficient crowd could be present for the occasion. Trips to St Mary's and Molineux follow, against two sides who United did the double over last term as they both failed to break into the top ten by the climax. Through September, United host Newcastle and Aston Villa, with a trip to London to face West Ham sandwiched in between.
With Champions League group stage matches also very much on the agenda, affairs toughen heading into October. Currently managerless Everton kick off a difficult month for United as they visit the Theatre of Dreams, with FA Cup winners Leicester hosting the reds two weeks later. The subsequent home match is an encounter with the opposite half of Merseyside, as Klopp's men hope to bounce back from underperformances last season. Spurs host United to cap off the month, with a visit from City the following week making it three matches in succession against fellow 'big six' sides for United.
Following a third international break, Watford are the first newly promoted side to stand in United's way; an encounter with Champions League victors Chelsea makes it consecutive trips to London for Solskjaer's side. On the subject of the capital, Arsenal's trip to Manchester rounds off November for United whilst Palace visit Old Trafford the following week.
October and November are undoubtedly incredibly strenuous periods for United, with five 'big six' meetings over just six gameweeks throughout the aforementioned spell.
Re-promoted Norwich and newbies Brentford host United within a weeks' spell heading into the festive period, with Brighton's trip to Old Trafford the final game in the buildup to Christmas. The calendar year is rounded off with a Boxing Day trip to the North-East to face Newcastle, before United host Burnley.
In theory, it should be a relatively routine start to the new year. A second meeting with Wolves for the season comes on New Year's Day, with two weeks until United then venture to the Midlands to face Aston Villa. David Moyes makes another return to Manchester to cap off January's fixtures, with his West Ham side desperate to consolidate their status as a side challenging for European places.
February plays host to our second trip to Elland Road since Leeds' return to the top flight, with hope that United fans may gain an away allocation contrary to the behind closed doors encounter in the latter stages of last season. The short trip to Turf Moor kicks off the month, with home matches against Southampton and Watford either side of the trip to Leeds.
March offers another 'big six' triple-header: derbies at the Etihad and Anfield either side of Spurs' visit to Old Trafford could be vital as we head towards the business end of the campaign. Leicester travel to Manchester immediately in April, with a visit to the Emirates later in the month another headline. A trip to Goodison could also offer a challenge for United, whilst home fixtures against Norwich and Brentford should give an opportunity to accumulate some significant late points.
A visit from Chelsea could be majorly important on the penultimate weekend, with trips down to Brighton and Palace either side giving more chances to gain potentially crucial points towards the finale.
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