United opens at Swansea; Chelsea begins at Hull

Jun 19, 2013 - 6:17 PM London, England (Sports Network) - Manchester United's title defense will begin at Swansea City on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, which starts Saturday, Aug. 17.

David Moyes will be the man in charge of United after the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, and the former Everton boss will face a tough test in his second match with the club as the Red Devils welcome Jose Mourinho's Chelsea to Old Trafford.

Mourinho is returning to Chelsea for another stint after leaving the club in 2007, and he will begin his second reign on the opening weekend against newly- promoted Hull City.

Manchester City is also breaking in a new manager and Manuel Pellegrini's debut will come at home against Newcastle.

The other two promoted teams, Crystal Palace and Cardiff City, will start life in the top flight at home to Tottenham and at West Ham respectively.

Arsenal welcomes Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium to start its season before facing North London rival Tottenham in the third week.

Brendan Rodgers' second season at Anfield begins against Stoke City, while the Reds will take on Manchester United on Aug. 31. The first Merseyside derby isn't scheduled until the end of November.

United and City will renew their rivalry in the middle of September in the fifth round of matches at City's Etihad Stadium.