Premier League fixtures 2021/22: Man Utd vs Leeds and Spurs vs City but who’ll have Kane after transfer merry-go-round?
THE fixture list for the 2021-22 Premier League season is out – and Manchester United’s clash with Leeds is the pick of the opening day games.
United host bitter rivals Leeds at Old Trafford as the new season gets underway with a bang in what could be Jadon Sancho’s debut for the Red Devils.
United are desperately chasing the England winger for a second straight summer but are still £11million adrift of Borussia Dortmund’s £86m valuation.
Manchester City will kick-off their title defence – without talisman Sergio Aguero for the first time in a decade – with a tricky trip to Tottenham.
And it could to be a shock return to Spurs for striker Harry Kane who has said he wants to leave North London.
Man City are poised to smash the transfer record for England captain Kane, whose first game for the club could be an emotional return to Tottenham.
Champions League winners Chelsea host Crystal Palace in what could be the first glimpse of striker Erling Haaland at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are desperate to sign a new striker and in-demand Dortmund ace Haaland is their No1 priority.
Liverpool look to reclaim their crown as they travel to newly-promoted Norwich.
Arsenal make the short trip across North London to play Premier League new-boys Brentford, with Aaron Ramsey set for an emotional return to the Gunners this summer.
Elsewhere, Everton host Southampton, Burnley take on Brighton, Wolves travel to Leicester, Newcastle face West Ham and Watford welcome Aston Villa to Vicarage Road.
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Among the biggest games for next season, Arsenal host Tottenham in the first North London derby on September 25.
The return fixture at Spurs will take place on January 15.
Further north, Man Utd will host local rivals City on November 6, with the reverse tie at the Etihad taking place on March 5.
The first Merseyside derby of the new season will go ahead at Goodison Park on November 30, with the Anfield fixture taking place on April 23.
This season’s bumper Boxing Day schedule looks tasty, too.
Liverpool host Leeds in the pick of the bunch, while Man City host Leicester and United travel to Newcastle.
Arsenal travel to Norwich, Spurs host Palace and Chelsea make the trip to Villa.
Brighton host Brentford, Burnley welcome Everton, Southampton travel to East London to take on West Ham and Wolves face Watford in the remaining festive fixtures.
In other crunch games, Liverpool face Man City on October 2 and April 9 as the Reds look to wrestle back their Premier League crown from Guardiola’s squad.
As always, fans have reacted to the news in their thousands on social media.
One disgruntled Chelsea fan wrote: “Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs and Man City in the opening 6 games lmao they really hate us.
“But we move, best to get the tougher games out of the way early on.”
Looking at their horror autumn run, a Man Utd fan said: “October and November have some serious fixtures.
“They could make or break our season.”
On Arsenal’s tricky start, one Gooner tweeted: “Arteta under massive pressure now, tough starting fixtures.
“I doubt the board will allow another bad start. Especially if he is backed in this window.”
A pessimistic Tottenham supporter added: “First thing every Spurs fan looks at is the NLD fixtures.
“However after the season we have just had I’m looking at the last game because I am not looking forward to it with no manager yet and a club with no hope…”
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