Premier League fixtures release: Manchester United the only champions to start with a defeat

Old Trafford side went on to win the title three times after starting the campaign with a loss

Everton's Marouane Fellaini scored the winner against Manchester United on the opening weekend of the 2012/13 season (Getty)

Wednesday morning heralds the distant dawning of the new Premier League campaign, with the fixtures released as the European Championship continues to hold most football fan's concentrations.

Fans the length and breadth of the country will start planning their next 12 months, magicking up dentists or doctors appointments to explain why they are busy for Sunderland away or finding out which family wedding will have to missed for that vital home match with Bournemouth.

Supporters from Burnley, Hull and Middlesbrough are eagerly awaiting their returns to the top-flight, while those of a Leicester persuasion will learn who they begin their title defence against.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchesters City and United will all fancy their chances of wrestling that Premier League crown away from Claudio Ranieri, although a winning start is most likely vital come 13 August.

Sir Alex Ferguson helped Manchester United recover from opening-day defeat to win the title on three separate occasions (Getty)

Only one side has lost their opening Premier League game of a season and recovered to take that season's title - Manchester United.

The Old Trafford side have in fact pulled off the feat on three ocassions - Sir Alex Ferguson's side starting on a downer in 1992/93 (losing at Sheffield United), 1995/96 (at Aston Villa - ask Alan Hansen) and 2012/13 (at Everton) before finding their feet and topping the pile come May.

Six of the last seven - and 13 of the last 16 - champions have started with a victory - the most recent instance being Leicester's 4-2 victory over Sunderland 10 months ago.

All four of Chelsea's Premier League title-winning campaigns began with victory, as did both of Manchester City's successful seasons.

Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring in Leicester City's opening day success over Sunderland last August (Getty)

Anything other than a maximum on matchday one will leave Mr Wenger, Conte, Klopp, Pochettino, Mourinho or Guardiola (or Ranieri) playing catch-up, and seeking to replicate what only one man has previously acheived in the Premier League era.

How champions fared in opening match

1992/93 Eventual champions: Manchester United. Result in opening fixture: Lost to Sheffield United 2-1

1993/94 Manchester United – Beat Norwich 2-0

1994/95 Blackburn – Drew with Southampton 1-1

1995/96 Manchester United – Lost to Aston Villa 3-1

1996/97 Manchester United – Beat Wimbledon 3-0

1997/98 Arsenal – Drew with Leeds 1-1

1998/99 Manchester United – Drew with Leicester 2-2

1999/2000 Manchester United – Drew with Everton 1-1

2000/01 Manchester United – Beat Newcastle 2-0

2001/02 Arsenal – Beat Middlesbrough 4-0

2002/03 Manchester United – Beat West Bromwich 1-0

2003/04 Arsenal – Beat Everton 2-1

2004/05 Chelsea – Beat Manchester United 1-0

2005/06 Chelsea – Beat Wigan 1-0

2006/07 Manchester United – Beat Fulham 5-1

2007/08 Manchester United – Drew with Reading 0-0

2008/09 Manchester United – Drew with Newcastle 1-1

2009/10 Chelsea – Beat Hull 2-1

2010/11 Manchester United – Beat Newcastle 3-0

2011/12 Manchester City – Beat Swansea 4-0

2012/13 Manchester United – Lost to Everton 1-0

2013/14 Manchester City – Beat Newcastle 4-0

2014/15 Chelsea – Beat Burnley 3-1

2015/16 Leicester – Beat Sunderland 4-2