Manchester United's first five Premier League fixtures confirmed with derby moved to September

The Premier League has confirmed its first round of TV selections for the 2026/27 season, revealing that Manchester United’s opening five fixtures will all fall on Sundays — a scheduling outcome likely to frustrate travelling supporters.

United had already known their season opener against newly promoted Hull City would take place on Saturday, August 22 at 12.30pm. The subsequent four fixtures, however, have now been slotted into Sunday afternoon slots, beginning with a home game against Ipswich Town on August 30 at 4.30pm.

A week later, on September 6, Ruben Amorim’s side travel to Everton for a 2pm kick-off, before the most anticipated fixture of the early run: a home Manchester derby against Enzo Maresca’s City on Sunday, September 13 at 4.30pm. The clash had always been considered a strong candidate for rescheduling, and the Premier League duly obliged.

United round out the pre-international break schedule with an away trip to Fulham on Sunday, September 20 at 4.30pm, where Alvaro Arbeloa will be in the home dugout.

The absence of a single Saturday 3pm kick-off across the first five matchdays is set to prove contentious among matchgoing fans. The earliest realistic opportunity for a traditional Saturday afternoon slot arrives on October 10 against Tottenham Hotspur, though the profile of that fixture makes it a likely TV pick as well.

The Premier League confirmed the selections a week ahead of its originally stated timeline. United supporters will find out the next batch of TV picks — covering matchdays six through nine — during the week commencing August 24.