Article:Manchester United's opening Premier League fixtures

Manchester United will be looking to get a good start to the season in the defence of their Premier League crown and will be hoping to make it title number 19. Here we give a short preview to their first 6 Premier League Games Manchester United v Birmingham City

First up for Manchester United is newly promoted Birmingham City at Old Trafford. Birmingham City managed by Alex McLeish were runners up to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Coca Cola Championship in 2008/09. On paper this looks an easy start for United but they have drawn their last two opening fixtures against Reading 2 years ago and Newcastle last season. We predict 3 points and a comfortable 2-0 win for United.

Burnley v Manchester United

Next up for Manchester United is Lancashire rivals and newly promoted Burnley. Burnley were promoted to the Premier League courtesy of winning the play off final against Sheffield United. There is sure to be an intense atmosphere and the Burnley players will be up for the fight. That said class should prevail and we predict United will 1-0 thanks to a second half strike. Wigan Athletic v Manchester United

United then travel to Wigan Athletic for their third fixture. Wigan are very good at home and pushed United hard the last time they played at the JJB stadium taking a 1-0 lead, only for United to fight back for a 2-1 victory. This will be a tight game but we predict United will again take the three points thanks to a 1-0 win.

Manchester United v Arsenal

A classic and hard fought fixture over the past few seasons and the first real test of Manchester United's season. The game ended in a 0-0 stalemate last season in a drab affair, home advantage should see United take a 1-0 victory in a very close game. Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United

United make their trip down to London to play Spurs at White Hart Lane. Last season the game ended 0-0. It is sure to be a good football game as both sides play the game in the right way, we predict a 1-1 draw. Manchester United v Manchester City

City have spent big so far in the Summer and this will be the time for them to make their marker. It will also probably see the return of Carlos Tevez to Old Trafford. It will be a real hustle and bustle game played at an electric pace. We expect home advantage to tell and again United to win 1-0.

So to summarise 16 points from the first 18, to give United the perfect start to the defence of their title!