Manchester United Premier League Fixtures 2011-12: 10 Key Games for Champions

The 2011-12 Premier League fixtures were released today, giving football fans the chance to organize their entire lives around the games they want to see.

Champions Manchester United will begin their title defense at home to West Bromwich Albion, a fixture they won 2-1 last time up.

There's an early clash with Arsenal to look forward to, not to mention a sizzling Manchester derby at the business end of the season.

Here are United's 10 key games for the 2011-12 campaign...

1. West Bromwich Albion (Away)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 28: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United in action during the UEFA Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC at Wembley Stadium on May 28, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Date: August 13th

Last Season: Won 2-1

The first glimpse of Sir Alex Ferguson's re-imagined United in the Premier League will come at The Hawthorns on Opening Day.

It could mean a debut for Phil Jones and Ashley Young—and United will fancy their chances to flex their attacking muscle in what should be an attractive fixture.

2. Arsenal (Home)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 01: Nemanja Vidic of Manchester United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on May 1, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Date: August 27th

Last Season: Won 1-0

United face Tottenham and Arsenal in consecutive weeks at Old Trafford, but the test against the Gunners will arguably tell us most.

Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson have a rivalry that goes back over a decade, and both men will be desperate to make a statement of intent in this one.

3. Chelsea (Home)

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Ji-Sung Park of Manchester United competes with Florent Malouda of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on May 8, 2011 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex

Date: September 17th

Last Season: Won 2-1

Chelsea were looking to derail United's title challenge when this fixture came around last season, but the home side won the game and effectively ended their threat.

The Blues are yet to appoint a new manager, but whoever it is will be intent on proving an early point in this battle of the potential title rivals.

4. Liverpool (Away)

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Luis Suarez of Liverpool in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on March 6, 2011 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Date: October 15th

Last Season: Lost 3-1

Arguably the most bitter rivalry in the Premier League will resume with this fixture at Anfield.

Kenny Dalglish's team have just lost their record of 18 Premier League titles to United, and will be desperate to get on terms.

With new addition Jordan Henderson added to January signings Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, Liverpool are beginning to look a genuine threat again.

5. Manchester City (Home)

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates after he scores a goal from an overhead kick during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on February 12, 2011 in Ma

Date: October 22nd

Last Season: Won 2-1

This game last season was won by Wayne Rooney's spectacular overhead kick.

With City growing more powerful by the season, it promises to be another pulsating derby.

6. Liverpool (Home)

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 09: Martin Kelly of Liverpool challenges Dimitar Berbatov of Manchester United during the FA Cup sponsored by E.ON 3rd round match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on January 9, 2011 in Manchester, Eng

Date: February 11th

Last Season: Won 3-2

United-Liverpool games rarely disappoint. When the two teams squared up at Old Trafford last season, Dimitar Berbatov put in a virtuoso performance to win the game for United.

The Bulgarian scored a glorious hat-trick that afternoon, and Liverpool will be desperate to erase the memory in the rematch.

7. Wolves (Away)

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WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Sylvan Ebanks Blake (L) of Wolves shakes hands with Chris Smalling of Manchester United after the Barclays Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux on February 5, 2011 in

Date: March 17th

Last Season: Lost 2-1

You might think this one a strange one to pick, but it was a 2-1 loss in this game last season that put the jitters on their title push.

To retain their title United need to be ruthless, and games like this need to be put away comfortably.

8. Everton (Home)

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Javier Hernandez of Manchester United skips past Phil Neville of Everton during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford on April 23, 2011 in Manchester, England. (Photo by S

Date: April 21st

Last Season: Won 1-0

United desperately needed a result when these teams met at Old Trafford towards the end of last season.

It took a late Javier Hernandez winner to make it happen, and with David Moyes' team always difficult to beat, this game could once again have a bearing on the title race.

9. Manchester City (Away)

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 01: Mario Balotelli of Manchester City in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at the City of Manchester Stadium on May 1, 2011 in Manchester, England. (Photo Laurence Griff

Date: April 28th

Last Season: Drew 0-0

For their third last fixture of the season, United will travel to Eastlands for a ferocious Manchester derby.

If both teams are in contention for the title, this one could be a classic.

10. Sunderland (Away)

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SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: Nani of Manchester United pressures Phil Bardsley of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester United at the Stadium of Light on October 2, 2010 in Sunderland, England. (Photo

Date: May 13th

Last Season: Drew 0-0

United travel to the Stadium of Light on the final afternoon of the season, to take on Steve Bruce's Sunderland.

The Black Cats are hard to break down, making this a tricky game to negotiate—especially if United need a victory to seal the title.