Louis van Gaal faces a difficult winter in his debut campaign at Old Trafford, while their Anfield rivals have the chance to test their title credentials early on

Manchester United fans will not have to wait long to see Louis van Gaal’s new-look Red Devils put to the test after the 2014-15 Premier League season kicks off.
The fixtures have been announced and, while United take on Swansea City on the opening weekend of August 16-17, they face a gruelling schedule as the festive period approaches.

Van Gaal welcomes Chelsea to Old Trafford on October 25 before making the short trip to the Etihad Stadium to face rivals Manchester City just a week later on November 1.

Then, on November 22, United take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in what is sure to be a gruelling four weeks which could go some way to shaping the title race.

Liverpool will have the opportunity to measure up against City after running them close for the title last season when they visit Manuel Pellegrini’s men on August 23.

September 27 is pencilled in as derby day, as Mauricio Pochettino gets his first taste of the north London rivalry when Tottenham clash with Arsenal at the Emirates, while Liverpool welcome Everton to Anfield.

Cesc Fabregas is more than familiar with Premier League rivalries and Chelsea’s hosting of Arsenal on October 4 will have some added spice this season as the former Gunner makes his return to England and faces his old club, having moved to Stamford Bridge from Barcelona.

The new year kicks off with another derby as Tottenham entertain Fabregas’s Chelsea on January 1, 2015.

And on March 21 it’s the big one; Manchester United visit Anfield to face Liverpool in a game which never disappoints.

The final month of the season once again boasts some potential title-deciders, as Liverpool face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Both sides will hope to still be in the title picture, with Brendan Rodgers eager to avoid another near miss after Jose Mourinho’s men went some way to denying them the trophy.

And if Arsenal can last the course this season, their meeting with Manchester United at Old Trafford on May 16 could prove decisive ahead of the final day of the season on May 24.

Louis van Gaal begins his reign over the Red Devils by hosting Garry Monk’s side at Old Trafford, while Cesc Fabregas could make his debut for Chelsea at Burnley

Louis van Gaal’s reign as Manchester United manager will begin with a home fixture against Swansea City, while Cesc Fabregas could potentially make his Chelsea debut away to Burnley.

Manchester City begin the defence of their title with a trip to Newcastle United, while Arsenal take on Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.

Mauricio Pochettino’s first game in charge of Tottenham will be against West Ham at Upton Park.

Last season’s Championship winners, Leicester City, welcome Everton to the King Power Stadium, while QPR, who arrive in the Premier League having won the play-offs, take on Hull City at Loftus Road.

The Manchester United forward sought to clear up his extra training sessions following heavy criticism, while his domestic team-mate changed the game for Belgium against Algeria

He’s been criticised and lambasted from every corner of the media since his disappointing display against Italy, but now Wayne Rooney has hit back at his detractors.
The Manchester United forward took to Facebook to dispel rumours that he was forced to train with the England reserves after the Azzurri match, insisting he was in actual fact snapped during extra training sessions which he had opted to take on himself.

While Rooney was putting in the hours, the rest of the squad were clearly up to no good, tormenting birthday boy Paul Small, the England masseur and treating him to an ice bath, whether he wanted one or not.

Elsewhere, the kids in Brazil have clearly struck a chord with the professionals out on international duty, with a whole host of them bunking of school to appear on the social media accounts of the world’s biggest stars, while Belgium kick off their tournament with a hard fought win over Algeria.

As the first round of group games nears its conclusion, Goal rounds up the best of the World Cup on social media…