David Moyes has hinted that the Premier League fixture list has been rigged to make it as hard as possible for Manchester United at the start of the season.

The reigning champions face Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City in three of their first five matches, and Moyes has questioned how that run of matches came about.

He said: “I find it hard to believe that’s the way the balls came out of the bag, that’s for sure. I think it’s the hardest start Manchester United have had for 20 years and I hope it’s not because Man United won the league quite comfortably last season that the fixtures have been made much more difficult. It is certainly something I would question.

“But you have to play every team twice and if we’ve got a tough start then the others have as well in playing Manchester United.”