The first game of Manchester United’s 2023/24 campaign may still be two months away, but fans can already begin to mark their calendars with several key dates for the upcoming season.
In advance of the opening weekend of the new Premier League term on 12/13 August, the fixtures are set to be released later this week, as the upcoming months continue to take shape for Erik ten Hag’s side.
Before the league schedule comes out, the summer transfer window is set to officially open, and the day that lands on is the first of a number of notable ones that we’ve picked out for you to keep a track on ahead of 2023/24.
Manchester United in the transfer window
The Reds will be able to sign players from other domestic clubs after the summer transfer window opens on Wednesday (14 June), while moves for players from overseas sides can be done from 1 July. The window will close at 23:00 BST on 1 September.
The winter transfer window will operate between 1 January and 1 February, with an 11pm deadline (UK time) also on the latter date.
KEY PREMIER LEAGUE DATES
As mentioned earlier, the 2023/24 Premier League schedule will be released at 09:00 BST on Thursday (15 June). You can find out everything you need to know about the Reds’ fixtures as soon as they come out on ManUtd.com.
The campaign is set to get under way on the weekend of 12/13 August, and this season’s final day will be on Sunday 19 May 2024. While there is no mid-season international tournament to plan around this term, there is a short winter break, with no fixtures in the competition to be played between 13 and 20 January 2024.
PRE-SEASON AND TOUR 2023
Before the new Premier League term kicks off, Manchester United have an action-packed pre-season to look forward to.
It is unconfirmed as of yet when Erik ten Hag’s side will report back to Carrington for the start of the preparations this summer, although the first fixture is exactly a month away, on Wednesday 12 July, against Leeds United in the Norwegian capital of Oslo.
A friendly with French side Olympique Lyonnais follows in Edinburgh exactly a week later before the Reds will jet off to the United States for Tour 2023, with Arsenal the opponents in the first of four matches to be played across the pond, on 22 July.
Champions League returns
Later in the summer, Manchester United find out the make-up of our Champions League group, as they prepare to return to the competition.
The draw is set to take place on Thursday 31 August, the day after the final round of qualifying matches.
The six group-stage matchdays will take place between the midweeks of 19/20 September and 12/13 December this year, before the knockout rounds play out from February to June.
CUP FINALS
Next season’s Champions League final is one of several confirmed showpiece dates for the upcoming campaign, with it set to be contested on Saturday 1 June 2024 at Wembley Stadium.
If United are to defend the Carabao Cup, then the Reds will need to win the final at the national stadium on Sunday 25 February 2024, while the date for any potential return to the Emirates FA Cup final is still to be confirmed.
A third-place finish in our Champions League group would see the Reds drop into the Europa League ahead of the second half of the campaign – the final of that competition is set to be played at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Wednesday 22 May 2024.
We’re hoping for more days out at Wembley next season!
INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS
ALSO READ: Is R3.5 million enough to fix Kaizer Chiefs?
While the club campaign is set to be busy, many Manchester United players are also expected to be in action for their nations across some of the biggest stages in the international game.
The Africa Cup of Nations will take place in the Ivory Coast between 13 January and 11 February 2024, with Amad and Eric Bailly in contention to represent the hosts on home soil. Young United midfielder Hannibal could also feature for Tunisia, who have also qualified.
Next summer, there’s end-of-season tournaments that could have United involvement. The European Championships in Germany – for which qualifiers are taking place this month – are scheduled for between 11 June and 11 July.
Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay – all represented by current Reds – will be among those at, and looking to win, the Copa America when that is played out in the United States between 14 June and 14 July.
ALSO READ: The FIVE Sundowns players on the chopping block
There are international breaks also on the 2023/24 calendar for September, October and November before the turn of the year, and in March after it.
ALSO READ: The THREE players Orlando Pirates must sign
ALSO READ: Thabiso Kutumela should be searching for next club
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY WADE PRETORIUS
