Prior to Manchester United facing Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of the season on Saturday, we take a look at the club’s last 5 opening day fixtures.
Manchester United 3-0 Newcastle United – 2010-11 Season
On the opening day of the 2010/11 season, Manchester United faced a Newcastle side at Old Trafford managed by Chris Hughton. It was a convincing scoreline from Sir Alex’s players as United got their title bid underway with a 3-0 victory against the Magpies. Dimitar Berbatov opened the scoring when he fired past Steve Harper from the left-edge of the six-yard area. Darren Fletcher doubled United’s lead with a close-range effort, before Ryan Giggs volleyed in a third late on.
West Brom 1-2 Manchester United – 2011-12 Season
The 2011-12 opening day saw United begin their title defence at the Hawthorns against Roy Hodgson’s West Brom. Despite David de Gea’s mistakes in his first Premier League appearence, United got their win thanks to a late own goal, when Young’s cross from the left took a deflection off Steven Reid and beat Ben Foster. Wayne Rooney scored early on when he combined with Fabio and Ashley Young to drill in a low effort. Shane Long equalised on his competitive debut for West Brom when his tame effort crept under the body of De Gea.
Everton 1-0 Manchester United – 2012-13 Season
The opening day of the 2012-13 season was a disapointing start for United, as they saw defeat at Goodison Park thanks to a powering header from Marouane Fellaini. Fans were desperately awaiting team news ahead of the game with new signing Robin van Persie named on the bench but Shinji Kagawa handed his Premier League debut. A corner from the right found Fellaini, who out-jumped Carrick and thundered a header past De Gea, for a goal his performance had fully merited.
However, despite losing their first game of the season, United went on to lift there 20th Premier League title in Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season as manager.
Swansea City 1-4 Manchester United – 2013-14 Season
The opening day of the 2013-14 season was the first in the short reign of David Moyes. Moyes’s team got off to a fantastic start as Robin van Persie’s double gave United a 4-1 victory against Swansea away from home. Swansea pressured United early in the first half and looked to be on the front foot, however that changed when Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck struck twice inside two minutes just after the half-hour and United were never again under serious threat.
This opening game was of the little highlights that David Moyes endured as manager of United. Moyes was sacked just nine months later due to a series of poor performances that led the club to finishing in 7th place.
Manchester United 1-2 Swansea City – 2014-15 Season
The first competitive game under new boss Louis van Gaal, who replaced David Moyes, got off to the worst possible start. Van Gaal’s side lost 2-1 to a hard-working Swansea side who prevailed at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney’s overhead kick in his first game since being named United’s new captain cancelled out Ki Sung-Yueng’s opener for the Welsh side, but some uncertain defending allowed new Swansea midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson to score a 72nd-minute winner.
Despite losing his first league game as United boss, Louis van Gaal improved as the season went on and guided United to 4th position.
