United set for tough start to league campaign

United open their season with a lucrative home game against Linfield on August 11, before back to back away games against Crusaders and new boys Ballinamallard United.

“Obviously Linfield is the toughest start you can get - they will be wanting to make a strong start to their defence of the title,” Ferguson told Times Sport.

“The two games after that aren’t easy either - Crusaders are the All-Ireland Cup champions and Ballinamallard will be keen to impress after their promotion, so it’s a tough start for us, but you have to play all the teams at some stage.

“We will be back in pre-season training next week and we want to be ready to hit the ground running, to carry on from the way we finished last season,” added Ferguson, who despite a summer-long search for a striker to replace Gary McCutcheon, has said he will not be making a move for Leon Knight, who has been released by Glentoran.

United’s Premiership fixtures up to the league ‘split’ after 33 games are:

August 11 - Linfield (h); August 18 - Crusaders (a); August 25 - Ballinamallard United (a).

September 1 - Lisburn Distillery (h); Tuesday, September 4 - Cliftonville (a); September 8 - Donegal Celtic (h); September 15 - Dungannon Swifts (h); September 22 - Coleraine (a); September 29 - Glentoran (h).

October 6 - Portadown (a); October 13 - Glenavon (h); October 20 - Lisburn Distillery (a); October 27 - Ballinamallard United (h).

November 3 - Dungannon Swifts (a); November 10 - Crusaders (h); November 17 - Donegal Celtic; November 24 - Linfield (a).

December 1 - Donegal Celtic (a); December 8 - Portadown (h); December 15 - Glenavon (a); December 22 - Glentoran (a); Wednesday, December 26 - Coleraine (h); December 29 - Lisburn Distillery (h).

Tuesday, January 1, 2013 - Dungannon Swifts (a); January 5 - Ballinamallard United (h); January 19 - Crusaders (a); January 26 - Donegal Celtic (h).

February 2 - Linfield (a); February 16 - Coleraine (h); February 23 - Glenavon (a).

March 9 - Glentoran (h); March 16 - Portadown (a); March 23 - Cliftonville (a).

SEASON TICKETS

Meanwhile, the deadline is fast approaching for United fans to take advantage of the club’s popular early purchase discount scheme whereby those who order or renew their season ticket before the 30th June, will receive a superb discount.

Forms are available from the club website or by e-mailing company secretary Neil Coleman on [email protected]