10 Things We Learned From United's Fixtures

Manchester United's 2017/18 fixtures, published here on ManUtd.com today, brought up numerous talking points for us to pick out.

The outline of the campaign has become much clearer, even though all the dates are subject to change due to live television coverage and other possible enforced changes during the season.

OLD TRAFFORD START
First up are West Ham United - and it is the first time the clubs have ever met at Old Trafford in a league season opener. However, the sides played at Upton Park in the opening match of the 1961/62 term with Nobby Stiles scoring in a 1-1 draw. The first away trip is to Swansea City, who were the opening-weekend opponents in 2013/14 and 2014/15.

ANFIELD ANTICIPATION
The always eagerly-awaited match on Merseyside against Liverpool will have heightened anticipation as it is scheduled for the weekend of 14/15 October, following a break for key international fixtures as the World Cup picture will become clearer. The Old Trafford encounter between the fierce rivals is to be played around 10 March.

NEW VENUES TO VISIT
United are due at Huddersfield Town's John Smith's Stadium the weekend after the Anfield assignment, 21/22 October, with the previous encounters with the Yorkshiremen held at Leeds Road. A first-ever game at Brighton's American Express Community Stadium ('the Amex') is set to be the Reds' last away league clash of the season, on 5 May.

WEMBLEY TRIP
A 50th competitive club appearance at the national stadium is pencilled in for 31 January after Tottenham moved their home venue while a new ground is built at White Hart Lane.

FESTIVE FARE
The traditional Boxing Day match is a home clash against Burnley at Old Trafford - the Clarets held out for a 0-0 draw in this fixture last term. The opening game of the 2018 calendar year, currently scheduled for New Year's Day, is a tough-looking visit to Ronald Koeman's Everton.

DERBY DAYS
The Manchester derbies are due to be staged around 9 December at Old Trafford and 7 April at the Etihad Stadium. It's the same order as last season with the home fixture coming first before the away encounter with our neighbours falls towards the end of the campaign.

CHANCES TO BEAT THE CHAMPIONS
Title-winners Chelsea will come to Manchester on or around 24 February. They were soundly beaten by Mourinho's men at the Theatre of Dreams last season, as were the 2015/16 champions, Leicester City.

HORNETS FINALE
United are to meet Watford at home in the last game of the league campaign on 13 May, six days before the Emirates FA Cup final.

CUP CAMPAIGN UNDER A NEW NAME
Jose Mourinho's side will begin the defence of the newly-named Carabao Cup (last year's EFL Cup) in the third round due to Champions League commitments. This tie will take place around 20 September after the Reds host Everton in the Premier League during the previous weekend.

EUROPEAN SCHEDULE
The group-stage games in the Champions League take place on 12/13 September, 26/27 September, 17/18 October, 31 October/1 November, 21/22 November and 5/6 December. Hence, the visit to Chelsea follows one date and the final group game is sandwiched between key clashes with Arsenal and Manchester City.

You can download these fixtures to your calendar with our exclusive app at www.manutd.com/calendar.

Dates are subject to change. Fixtures compiled by the Premier League in association with Atos.

Credit: Manutd.com