By Chris O'Brien
June 27 2005

The excitement surrounding the release of the fixture list has always baffled me. It's a fact we will play both teams twice, once home and once away, but this seemingly major event of British football has now taken place.

The fixtures for the 2005/2006 Premier League campaign have been released, and Manchester United face a tricky and passionate start to their campaign with the short trip to Merseyside to face David Moyes' Everton. The clash is between two sides who both have Champions League qualifying games to attend to, with the first-leg set to take place only a few days before this derby game kicks-off the new league season.

The game, on August 13th, gives Sir Alex Ferguson's men an early chance to avenge their top flight defeat at the hands of the Toffees in April. Duncan Ferguson found the scoresheet as Everton practically assured themselves a top four finish and left United well behind second-placed Arsenal. Can the pride of Merseyside achieve such an impressive league position yet again?

The first Old Trafford league game of the season takes place on the following Saturday. Aston Villa are entertained by the Red Devils, with the second-leg of the Champions League qualifier taking place only days later. A tricky visit to Newcastle United ends August in what is a complicated opening month to the season. United will be desperate to get off to a good start having failed to mount a serious Premiership challenge over the past two seasons.

Fans will have itched to look out for the dates of the big games with Manchester City and Liverpool. The European champions, and how hard it is to say that, will host United on September 17th with the return fixture on January 21st. Meanwhile, the Manchester derby comes to the Theatre of Dreams on September 10th, with United looking for three points at Eastlands on January 14th.

The league season ends on the 7th of May with a game against Charlton Athletic, whilst newly promoted Wigan Athletic are yet to learn the date of their Old Trafford visit.

Of course, we can't take these dates for granted as interference from national television will undoubtedly disrupt the fixtures greatly. However, one thing is for sure - Everton v. Manchester United will take place on August 13thm 2005 and will raise the curtain to our Premiership season.

Roll on Goodison Park.