Man Utd start title defence at home to Birmingham

Premier League champions Manchester United will start their bid for a record fourth successive English title at home to newly-promoted Birmingham on August 15.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s team discovered their fixtures for the 2009-10 season on Wednesday and the three-time champions follow the Birmingham clash with a trip to Burnley, who were promoted via the Championship play-offs.

Carlo Ancelotti begins his reign at Chelsea at home to Hull, while Liverpool travel to Tottenham on the opening weekend and Arsenal face a trip to Everton.

Championship winners Wolves play West Ham at Molineux and Burnley visit Stoke on their return to the top flight.

Big-spending Manchester City travel to Blackburn on the opening day before hosting Everton at Eastlands on 19 August.

New Wigan boss Roberto Martinez starts his reign at Aston Villa, while Bolton are at home to Steve Bruce’s Sunderland and Portsmouth meet Fulham at Fratton Park.

United have to wait until the end of August before their first match against one of the top four clubs as they take on Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 29, with the return fixture at Emirates Stadium on January 30.

The Champions League runners-up visit Anfield to play Liverpool on October 24 and Rafa Benitez’s team travel to Old Trafford on March 20.

Chelsea are the last of the other top four sides to face United as new manager Carlo Ancelotti’s side are at home to the champions on November 7, with the return fixture on April 3.

Liverpool end their season with an away fixture against Hull on May 9.

Benitez’s team visit Stamford Bridge on October 3 and play host to last season’s third-placed team on May 1.

Rafael Benitez’s side are at home to Arsenal on December 12 and visit the Gunners on February 9.

Ancelotti’s first season finishes at home to Wigan on May 9.

Chelsea are away to Arsenal on November 28 and at home to the Gunners on February 6.

Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal close the season with a home fixture against Fulham.

Wolves fans will be looking forward to a December 15 trip to Old Trafford to play Manchester United and a home fixture against the champions on March 6.

Opening weekend fixtures:

Aston Villa v Wigan

Blackburn v Man City

Bolton v Sunderland

Chelsea v Hull

Everton v Arsenal

Man Utd v Birmingham

Portsmouth v Fulham

Stoke v Burnley

Tottenham v Liverpool

Wolves v West Ham