Cole urges Man Utd to 'hit ground running' in 'crazy start' to Premier League

Former Manchester United striker Andrew Cole admitted the club have a "crazy start" to the 2025-26 season and urged them to "hit the ground running".

United will kick off their campaign at home against Arsenal, and according to Opta's power rankings, face the toughest start to the season.

This is just the second time in English league history that United are hosting Arsenal in their first game of the season, previously beating them 4-1 in 1989-90.

After facing the Gunners, they have Fulham and Burnley, with Manchester City and Chelsea rounding off their first five opponents.

United have won their opening game of the season more than any other side in the Premier League (22), while also having the best win rate on MD1 of any side to play in more than one season (67%).

It will also be the ninth consecutive campaign they have begun with a home game.

"It's a crazy start," Cole told Sky Sports. "I'm not going to stand here and say that's going to be a barometer of this team.

"To have a start like that, you've got to hit the ground running. It'll be interesting. Fingers crossed, they'll be able to go out there and get some positive results that breed confidence and then move on from there."

It will be United's first full campaign under Ruben Amorim, who last season oversaw the club's lowest-ever Premier League finish of 15th.

Amorim won just seven of his 27 league matches in charge in 2024-25 (D6 L14), averaging just 1.0 point per game, while his win ratio sits at just 25.9%.

Asked if he thought it was important that United made a fast start under Amorim in the coming season, Cole added: "I would believe that.

"The crazy thing is, after a tough season last season, to start like that, it's mad, but I think that's where Manchester United are right at the moment.

"But like I said, ultimately all you can do is go out there, try your best, try and win football matches early doors and then build confidence and build momentum."