Premier League fixtures for 2013-14 season: Manchester United and Chelsea on early collision course

The Premier League fixture computer retains its mischievous streak: Jose Mourinho’s first away game back as Chelsea manager takes him to Old Trafford on Aug 24. 

 

Mourinho coveted the opportunity to be Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor at Manchester United but David Moyes was appointed and Mourinho returned slightly chastened from Real Madrid to Chelsea. The Stretford End will doubtless serenade Mourinho in their usual fashion.

Mourinho has some difficult matches as the season gets underway with trips to Everton and Tottenham Hotspur in September but he kicks off with Hull City at home on Aug 17. It looks a daunting journey for Hull as Chelsea will challenge more strongly for the title this season under the old Special One. Mourinho versus Steve Bruce will certainly make for good press conferences.

The opening weekend will also see the spotlight trained on the Liberty Stadium. Swansea City fans will be hoping the inspirational Michael Laudrup has been given more funds to strengthen a side he has had such an uplifting impact on. It will also be Moyes’ opening challenge, an opportunity to prove he can keep United moving in the right direction. All eyes will be on his tactics, his style, and his ability to influence game through substitutions.

The champions have hardly been given the gentlest start. After facing Swansea and Chelsea, Moyes’ men head to Liverpool on Aug 31 and then to Manchester City on Sep 21. The Anfield collision comes on the eve of the England squad meeting up for the key World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine. Roy Hodgson will hope that Premier League game involving Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones and others will be the early kick-off on the Saturday.

England are struggling to qualify automatically to reach Brazil and need all the help they can get from the clubs and broadcasters. The myriad problems bedevilling the national team, and particularly the player-development structure, will doubtless be overlooked in the usual frenzy over Premier League fixtures. Never mind the country’s travails at assorted age-group levels, feel the vibrant club scene.