MX23RW : Friday, March 29 09:12:50| >> :120:8842:8842:

Rio Ferdinand: Manchester United's Premier League start is the "toughest ever"

Ferdinand: United's start is
© PA Photos
Rio Ferdinand claims that Manchester United's opening five Premier League fixtures represent the toughest start he has ever seen.

Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Manchester United's first five Premier League fixtures represent the toughest start he has ever seen.

United face Chelsea at Old Trafford as well as trips to Liverpool and Manchester City among their opening fixtures.

The 34-year-old, who is currently in Australia on United's pre-season tour, stressed the importance of a focused start from the champions.

"There's no easing our way into the league this year," said Ferdinand. "We've got the be ready to go from the off.

"We've got some big games in there but Swansea [City] away is a really tough place to start. We've got to make sure we're ready for the start of the season because our first five games are probably the toughest I have ever seen.

"With a new manager coming in, we're going to be focused anyway. There's an excitement in the squad and that will build as the start of the season gets closer."

United's next pre-season game is against the A-league All Stars on Saturday morning.

ID:94119: cacheID:94119:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1846:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra celebrates scoring his teams second goal against Liverpool on 13 January, 2013
Read Next:
Ferdinand replaces Evra as dressing room DJ
>
Read more about Rio Ferdinand Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!