Manchester United news: Ten fixtures for Red Devils fans to relish in 2024/25 season
Erik ten hag faces a defining season with Manchester United
Manchester United enter the new season in a now-typical state of transition, with question marks hanging over players and manager alike as well as the club’s new owners.
Erik ten Hag remains in the dugout for now, given a stay of execution on the back of last season’s FA Cup triumph.
Now in his third season at Old Trafford, the Dutchman is fast running out of time to produce a discernible and entertaining brand of football.
For certain players too, this season is likely make or break for their United careers.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Michael Davey looks at 10 standout fixtures for Red Devils fans to look forward to in the upcoming campaign.
Manchester United vs Fulham, Old Trafford, Friday August 16
Last season: 1-2 (H), 1-0 (A)
United begin their season at home to Fulham. As the Friday-night Premier League curtain-raiser, all eyes will be firmly on Old Trafford, and there will be nowhere to hide for Ten Hag and his much-criticised troops.
After a dismal season last time out, their worst in decades, both players and manager will be desperate to regain the favour of disgruntled fans and prove that they belong at the Theatre of Dreams.
Having lost at home to Marco Silva’s well-drilled and ambitious side last season after a stoppage-time winner from Alex Iwobi, United will be eager to set the right tone and start the new season with a full three points.
Manchester United vs Liverpool, Old Trafford, Sunday September 1
Last season: 2-2 (H), 0-0 (A)
A home derby date with Liverpool awaits on the third matchday. This will be the first big test of the season for both teams, and United will want to lay down a marker on their eternal rivals.
It was all square between these sides in the league last season, but United snatched a famous win in the FA Cup quarter-finals thanks to Amad Diallo’s 121st-minute winner.
The game will have a distinct Dutch flavour as new Liverpool manager Arne Slot looks to begin the unenviable task of replacing the legendary Jurgen Klopp. Ten Hag, for his part, needs to rediscover the thrill of his time at Ajax or else risk being shown the door.
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Crystal Palace vs Manchester United, Selhurst Park, Saturday September 21
Last season: 0-1 (H), 0-4 (A)
In September, United travel to Selhurst Park for a clash with Palace. While their home form was patchy in what ended up being a transitional period last season, Palace nevertheless remain one of the more intimidating away days on the Premier League calendar.
United have a somewhat poor record against Palace of late, with the Eagles deservedly doing the double over them last season.
This included a humiliating 4-0 loss in London that almost ended Casemiro’s top-level career and massively increased the pressure on Ten Hag.
With veteran Roy Hodgson finally moved on, Oliver Glasner has Palace playing an exciting, front-foot brand of football. They will be keen to build on last season’s commendable mid-table finish while United will be out to exorcise their demons.
Ipswich Town vs Manchester United, Portman Road, Saturday November 23
Last season: N/A
Back in the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, Ipswich host United at Portman Road in November. It is sure to be a fiery day out for the travelling fans.
Arriving off the back of successive promotions from League One and the Championship, Ipswich are a high-pressing, energetic side.
Notably, they are led by United’s former Under-18s manager Kieran McKenna, who also assisted Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Ralf Rangnick during his time at Carrington.
To add spice to the occasion, United have endured a number of embarrassing hiccups at newly-promoted sides in the last decade, memorably losing at Leicester City, Huddersfield, Newcastle, Brighton and Watford. This time round, they will definitely want to avoid a repeat.
Arsenal vs Manchester United, Emirates Stadium, Tuesday December 3
Last season: 0-1 (H), 1-3 (A)
United kick off their festive season with a trip to Arsenal. Now fully transformed into an elite outfit by Mikel Arteta, Arsenal are title challengers once again.
This game will be United’s first test on the road against a top side, and quite how Ten Hag and the players fare against a team they lost to twice last season will lay the foundation for the hectic Christmas period.
It is worth remembering that United’s last win at the Emirates came in the FA Cup under Solskjær in 2019, with the most recent league win at Arsenal’s home coming under Mourinho way back in 2017.
Considering the historical rivalry between these two clubs and the late goals conceded in this fixture last year, United will be out to break that drought.
Manchester United vs Newcastle United, Old Trafford, Sunday December 29
Last season: 3-2 (H), 0-1 (A)
The final game of the year for United sees them hosting Newcastle. Sandwiched between tricky trips to Wolves and Liverpool, points against the Magpies will be of vital importance to United’s long-term ambitions.
Routinely capable of positive results in big games, Newcastle under Eddie Howe represents a stern test based on fast transitions and possession-heavy football.
Flush with cash after the Saudi takeover and coming off a disappointing 2023/24 season, Newcastle will no doubt be looking to bounce back strongly.
After picking up a win apiece last season, this game will be a critical marker of United’s progress under Ten Hag heading into the New Year.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Saturday February 15
Last season: 2-2 (H), 0-2 (A)
In February, United have a date with Tottenham in London. After Sir Alex Ferguson built up such an impressive record against Spurs, results in this fixture have been a lot tighter over the last decade since the Scot retired.
Now entering his second season at the helm, Ange Postecoglou has forged an innovative and aggressive style of football at Tottenham. This will be particularly true in north London, where United lost decisively last season on matchday two.
Recently, United have made a habit of falling off the pace in the second half of the season, much to the exasperation of their fans.
This game will thus be a good indicator of United’s momentum heading into the crunch period where trophies and European places are on the line.
Manchester United vs Manchester City, Old Trafford, Saturday April 5
Last season: 0-3 (H), 1-3 (A)
The home leg of the Manchester derby is pencilled in for early April. As the record four-time defending champions, and in what might be Pep Guardiola’s last season, City will no doubt have the title on their minds.
While derbies are typically self-contained, it is worth noting that United were comprehensively outplayed by City home and away last year, conceding three goals in both games.
The gulf in class could not have been clearer.
United did, however, pick up the FA Cup at City’s expense last season in a memorable underdog victory at Wembley that kept Ten Hag in his job for another year.
Renowned for finding a rhythm in the latter half of the season and seeing things out with incredible winning runs, City know what is required in order to win the biggest trophies and United will have their work cut out for them in front of their fans.
Chelsea vs Manchester United, Stamford Bridge, Sunday May 18
Last season: 2-1 (H), 3-4 (A)
The penultimate matchday has Chelsea hosting United. With a title challenge likely a step too far for both sides, the pressure will be on for the lucrative Champions League places.
United lost 4-3 at Stamford Bridge towards the back end of last season, conceding two goals to Cole Palmer 10 minutes into stoppage time. With their soft underbelly so brutally exposed, the highly damaging collapse was seen as a sign of United’s enduring weak temperament.
As a result, while Chelsea have a new manager in former Guardiola protege Enzo Maresca and a squad bursting with talent waiting to click, United will be itching to prove that they are made of stronger stuff in Ten Hag’s third season.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa, Old Trafford, Sunday May 25
Last season: 3-2 (H), 2-1 (A)
United finish the 2024/25 season at home to Aston Villa. While their top-half rivals are playing comparatively easier games, United and Villa will battle it out in the pick of the final matchday.
Managed by Unai Emery, Villa are the most improved side of the last few seasons and will be looking to end their season on a high.
The much-maligned former Arsenal and PSG manager has done a transformational job at the Villans, rocketing them up the table and into this season’s Champions League.
Playing a high-risk, high-reward style of pressing football, they notably obliterated then-European champions City last season.
United will therefore take confidence from their double over Villa last season, both via late winners, and will seek to finish the season with at least a return to the top table of European competition.
For Ten Hag’s sake, not to mention some players, anything less will be game over.
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