Manchester United manager faces baptism of fire

New Manchester United manager David Moyes has been handed a tough opening few fixtures as he looks to stamp his style and authority on proceedings at Old Trafford.
In what is surely going to be a test for the new man, United have been given a tricky opening week assignment away to Swansea City to open up their league title defence.
Their first run-out under their new manager at Old Trafford will be the following weekend against the now Jose Mourinho led Chelsea.
It shapes as being a huge match so early in the season, with many pundits and fans alike predicting that Mourinho was going to become the new United manager when Sir Alex Ferguson stood aside at the end of last season.
The self-titled 'Special One' would love nothing more than putting one over the champions and heaping some early pressure on the new man in the manager's seat so early on in his reign at the biggest club in England.
The size of the job for Moyes will be big enough without the added pressure of the early rounds of next season, which also features a trip to Anfield on the third weekend of the season.
It does not get any bigger than Liverpool v United at the best of times, especially considering the mutual hatred that exists between both sets of supporters.
Throw in the fact that United are now led by the former manager of Liverpool's city rivals Everton, it is no wonder that fans around the world are captivated and can simply not wait for hostilities to resume in the Premier League on the 17th of August.
As if this was not enough for fans of the Red Devils to salivate over, the first Manchester derby of the season is due to take place on game week five, with the current league champions going to the Etihad.
Who can forget the corresponding game last season, when a Wayne Rooney inspired United got the visitor off to a flyer before they were pegged back by the then Champions?
With the game nearing injury time and the scores locked at 2-2, the brilliant Dutchman Robin van Persie stepped up and with the aid of a slight deflection scored the winner that not only won the game, but begun the shifting of power back to the red half of Manchester.
It looks like just when you thought the Premier League could not get any better, we are shaping up for another amazing season.