The Bigger Picture: Reds Can Up Pressure

It may sound ridiculous to talk about pressure after a single Premier League game, but Manchester United have the perfect opportunity to kick on after Sunday's impressive win over West Ham.

The table is largely irrelevant at the moment, as Jose Mourinho has indicated, but the Reds are at the summit and the fixture schedule means - after being involved in the last game of round one - it is United who kick round two off at Swansea City.

The early start (12:30 BST) allows a chance to quickly put six points on the board and then relax while the rest of the division scrap it out over the remainder of the weekend and into Monday night. It will be far from easy at the Liberty Stadium, and it is thought Paul Clement will swiftly reinvest after Gylfi Sigurdsson completed his transfer to Everton, but Mourinho will be emphasising the importance of making a good start to the season. That is something he achieved time and time again during his time at Chelsea.

Saturday's later games include Liverpool meeting Crystal Palace on the back of a draw at Watford and 2-1 victory at Hoffenheim in the Champions League qualifier. The Eagles have upset the Merseysiders in the past but started poorly with a 3-0 home defeat to new boys Huddersfield Town. The tea-time kick-off poses Arsenal a challenge they traditionally find difficult - an away clash at Mark Hughes's Stoke City.

All eyes will be on Wembley Stadium on Sunday when Tottenham Hotspur face Chelsea in a London derby. Two of the likely title contenders colliding head-on at this early stage is bound to crank up the pressure and the outcome will be eagerly awaited. The champions, without suspended duo Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas, could find themselves already six points adrift of the leaders if they are beaten by Spurs.

Manchester City must wait until Monday evening for their action and Ronald Koeman's Everton should provide stiff opposition after a summer of spending, which included the arrivals of ex-Reds Michael Keane and Wayne Rooney. Pep Guardiola's men will be favourites to take the points at the Etihad Stadium, but let's hope United have laid down a marker by already securing a second victory of the new season.

United's final game in August will follow against 2015/16 champions Leicester City at Old Trafford before a break for international football, and the next league outing is not until 9 September at Stoke.

A positive start from these three opening games is essential for United, as it is for all of the title hopefuls. With Liverpool and Chelsea already dropping points, a win in Wales will allow every Reds fan to enjoy the weekend and watch the others playing catch-up.