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Manchester United is NOT the worst start for Tottenham - John Scales
TOTTENHAM fans should not be daunted by the prospect of a trip to face Manchester United on the opening day of the season.
Best opening day fixture record
That is according to former Spurs star John Scales.
The north London outfit learned of their fate today when the full Premier League fixture list for the 2015/16 season was released.
Though Spurs face a tough opener against the Red Devils at Old Trafford on August 8, they have some eminently more winnable fixtures against Stoke, Leicester and Everton after that.
It's great for Spurs. Having a tough fixture is a good thing
Mauricio Pochettino's men had to settle for a fifth-placed finish last term, and the onus will be on Spurs to break the stranglehold of the traditional top four next season.
But Scales, who was speaking at the Twickenham Academy’s 3G pitch funded by the Football Foundation, thinks Spurs should relish their start.
"It's great for Spurs. Having a tough fixture is a good thing," Scales told Express Sport.
Mauricio Pochettino's men face Manchester United on the opening day of next season
"It gives the players an absolute focus on the opening day and they know they will have to be at their best to get anything from that game.
"The flip side is that if you have an easy start, then you can have a dip in pre-season.
"It is one of the toughest fixtures alongside playing Chelsea and Arsenal."
Scales is also adamant Manchester United will get their act together and challenge for the title next term.
John Scales (pictured) thinks facing Manchester United is good for Spurs
He added: "Louis van Gaal has had a year at Old Trafford.
"He has stamped his mark and things have got better for United from that perspective.
"United will be a huge force this season coming. They will be stronger and better and they can certainly move on another level."
The Football Foundation, which is funded by the Premier League, The FA and the Government through Sport England, is celebrating 15 years of improving the country’s grassroots football facilities. Since its launch in 2000 the Foundation has supported 13,000 grassroots sport projects with grants worth £520m and leveraged £736m in additional partnership funding, thereby delivering schemes with a total project cost of £1.24bn.
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