Manchester United will start the new Premier League season on a Friday night for the first time in six years, facing Fulham. Although they are the record holders with 13 Premier League titles, United rarely play the opening match of the season.
In recent years, Arsenal often kicked off the Premier League, but that streak ended in 2023 when Manchester City opened the season against Burnley. Now, United is set to begin their campaign at home, just as they did six years ago in a 2-1 win against Leicester City.
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Why is Man United vs Fulham on Friday?
Manchester United’s first game of the 2024/25 season was moved to Friday, 16 August, for live TV coverage. Sky Sports, the Premier League’s main broadcaster, introduced regular Friday night football in August 2016 to attract more viewers, with United being the first team to feature in one of those games.
This season, United will start their campaign with a home game, marking the eighth consecutive season they’ve done so—the longest streak in Premier League history. Last season, United had a tough time, finishing eighth, their worst ever in the Premier League. However, they did win the FA Cup, even though they lost in the Community Shield.
Premier League opening day fixtures
Friday, August 16
Manchester United v Fulham (10pm)
Saturday, August 17
Ipswich Town v Liverpool (2:30pm)
Arsenal v Wolves (5:00pm)
Everton v Brighton (5:00pm)
Newcastle United v Southampton (5:00pm)
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth (5:00pm)
West Ham v Aston Villa (7:30pm)
Sunday, August 18
Brentford v Crystal Palace (4:00pm)
Chelsea v Manchester City (6:30pm)
