Man Utd face nightmare Champions League scenario as Premier League fixtures announced

The fixture list for the 2023/24 Premier League season was released on Thursday and has produced a potential issue for Manchester United.

The upcoming Premier League season will get underway on August 12 and conclude nine months later on May 19, 2024.

The start date is one week later than the launch of the 2022/23 season as the football schedule returns to normal.

Last started slightly earlier and finished later than usual as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

United, who finished third last season, have been handed a favourable opening game to the new season against Wolves at Old Trafford on August 14.

United face Champions League headache

The fixture list has thrown up a potential issue for Erik ten Hag to contend with midway through the upcoming campaign.

His side will have to face rivals Manchester City and Liverpool immediately after playing a match in the Champions League.

United's first Manchester derby is on October 28 when they welcome City to Old Trafford, with the return fixture taking place at the Etihad on March 2.

Their first meeting comes just days after their third match in the Champions League group stage, which will be played on either October 24 or 25.

United later travel to face Liverpool on December 16 while Ten Hag's side play their bitter rivals in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford on April 6.

The first meeting at Anfield – the site of their 7-0 thrashing last season – comes days after United's final Champions League group match, which will take place on either December 12 or 13.

Speaking last month, United boss Ten Hag said he would need to improve his squad if the club was going to challenge in both the Premier League and Champions League next season.

"We want to win every game but also, as I just tried to explain, it's tough here, there are really good teams, especially this season," said Ten Hag.

"Manchester City are playing really outstanding football. We have a way to go, we are in the right direction, we have work to do, so a work in progress.

"I think in this league, that's a good base to be in the top four but, yeah, we want to compete for the title.

"Now we are far away, so we have a lot of work to do, we've made progress with this team, with this squad but we need better players if we want to compete for the highest."