Former Manchester United defender Danny Higginbotham has insisted that the club's supporters should be "delighted" with their opening few Premier League fixtures.

The Red Devils will play each of the three newly-promoted clubs within the first six weeks of the new campaign, as well as home matches against Swansea City and West Ham United and a trip to Sunderland.

Reflecting on those encounters, Higginbotham believes that it will give any new signings that Louis van Gaal is to recruit the best opportunity to settle into life at Old Trafford.

"I think any United fan will be delighted with that start. The first game is at home and you expect United, by then, to have new signings in and that allows them to bed in without playing Chelsea, Liverpool or City at the start. You've got the promoted teams when they're still on a crest of a wave but, all in all, the start of the season looks very promising," he told MUTV.

"I think if you're going to win the Premier League or at least challenge for it, you have got to hit the ground running. It's a great opportunity and Old Trafford will be absolutely buzzing for the first game."

Last season, under the management of David Moyes, United faced Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool during the first few weeks of the campaign.