Manchester United boss David Moyes must accept tough start

Moyes was so concerned at a fixture list that sends his team to Swansea for the beginning of their title defence on Saturday, before fixtures against Chelsea, Liverpool and, after a one-game gap, Manchester City, he contacted the Premier League for reassurance.

It is straight out of the Sir Alex Ferguson book of conspiracy theories, with league chiefs quick to point out the tough schedule was arrived at purely by random.

Moyes does not appear convinced.

But as there is nothing to be done now, he has to look for the positives.

"It is (a hard start)," he said.

"But if it is a hard start for Manchester United, it is a hard start for everyone else because they have to play us.

"The old manager told me those sort of things happened.

"I hope it's not because Manchester United won the league quite comfortably last year (that) the fixtures have been made much more difficult.

"I find it hard to believe that's the way the balls came out of the bag, that's for sure."

Source: PA

Source: PA