Premier League fixtures to leave Manchester United and Man City out of first round

Manchester clubs will be granted 30 days’ rest before they return to action after their exploits in Europe, but Wolves and Chelsea will be forced to play when the new season begins next month

Manchester United and Manchester City will not be required to compete in the opening weekend of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign following their European commitments this past season.

City's season came to an end on 15 August with a 3-1 defeat by Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League quarter-finals, while United's season concluded following their Europa League semi-final loss to Sevilla a day later.

The Premier League season is set to begin on 12 September and with teams requiring at least a 30-day break before their first match, City and United will likely play their opening game the following week.

However, Wolverhampton Wanderers, who were knocked out of the Europa League by Sevilla on 11 August - 32 days before the start of the new season -- will be required to play on the opening weekend.

City ended the 2019/20 season in second place, 15 points ahead of third-placed United.

It’s understood the Premier League fixtures will be confirmed in full later this week, three weeks’ ahead of the new campaign getting underway.

Reuters