Manchester United

The Red Devils will then travel to Brentford one week later before welcoming Liverpool to Old Trafford, but October looks to be key for the 20-time English champions, particularly considering that the team will also play three times in the Europa League that month.

There will be a break in the season between November 12/13 and December 26 for the 2022 World Cup, so a strong start to the campaign could be vital for Man United, as Erik ten Hag looks to help the club return to the top four in the Premier League next term.

The Red Devils will open October with the small matter of a trip to the champions Manchester City, who beat them twice last season, including a 4-1 loss at Etihad Stadium.

One week later, Man United will be away to Everton, who managed to avoid relegation from the Premier League in the latter stages of last season.

The Toffees beat the Red Devils 1-0 at Goodison Park in April, and the Merseyside giants will surely be an improved outfit next term under Frank Lampard.

After back-to-back away fixtures, Man United will welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford on October 15, and the Magpies will certainly be looking to push for Europe next term due to their excellent form in the second half of the 2021-22 campaign under Eddie Howe.

Tottenham Hotspur, who finished fourth last term, will then visit Manchester on October 19, and Antonio Conte's side could be a very difficult proposition for opposing sides next term, as they have already made some clever signings this summer and are widely expected to keep hold of a certain Harry Kane.

Spurs will be looking to finish above Man United once again next season, but the Red Devils actually won both Premier League games between the two sides last term, recording a 3-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before running out 3-2 winners at Old Trafford, with Cristiano Ronaldo hitting a hat trick.

The 20-time English champions will then be back on the road on October 22, facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, another team that will be looking to finish above Man United once again.

Both league meetings between the two sides finished 1-1 last term, and Chelsea have actually not beaten Man United in the Premier League since November 2017, but Thomas Tuchel's side finished third last term, and it would be a surprise if they dropped out of the top four next season.

Man United's final game of October will come at home to West Ham United, who will also be looking to launch another European challenge next season.

West Ham had the chance to finish above the Red Devils on the final weekend of the 2021-22 Premier League campaign, with Ralf Rangnick's side losing at Crystal Palace, but a 3-1 loss at Brighton & Hove Albion meant that the Hammers finished seventh, two points behind sixth-placed Man United.

The fact that Ten Hag's side will only play four league matches over the course of November and December, due to the World Cup, makes October a vital month for the club.

A strong start to the campaign would take the pressure off the new head coach, and they also have standout fixtures against Liverpool and Arsenal in the opening two months of the season.

Man United are yet to bring any new players to the club this summer, but there is a lot happening behind the scenes, and at least three new signings should arrive before the end of the window, as Ten Hag looks to build a side eventually capable of challenging for major honours once again.

MAN UNITED'S OCTOBER FIXTURES:

1 - Man City (A)

8 - Everton (A)

15 - Newcastle (H)

19 - Tottenham (H)

22 - Chelsea (A)

29 - West Ham (H)