Leeds United's key dates including transfer window,…

Leeds United's key dates including transfer window, Manchester United friendly, fixture release

Leeds United must now prepare for life back in the Championship after their Premier League return came to an end after three years. The painful final-day defeat to Tottenham at Elland Road eradicated any faint hopes of Sam Allardyce's side defying the odds to leapfrog both Everton and Leicester City.

Leeds are now facing up to a summer of upheaval, starting with the ongoing uncertainty over the club's ownership. There is also the small matter of appointing Allardyce's successor, as well as preparing the squad for the rigours of a Championship campaign.

The pain of relegation will still be raw, but there are a number of key dates for United fans to put into their diary ahead of what they hope will be a solitary season back in the EFL. Here are a look at the dates for your diary from this month, to the start of the season and beyond.

June 14 - Summer transfer window opens

Negotiations and speculation over a host of first-team stars is already ongoing, but in less than a fortnight Leeds will be able to begin trading players. The loss of Premier League revenue will likely see a number of assets sold, while Allardyce's successor will look to be backed in building a squad capable of securing promotion at the first attempt.

June 22 - Fixtures released

The glamour ties which United fans may have grown accustomed to will no longer be on the schedule, but the demands of a 46-match season will soon become apparent. A home fixture and a victory for the new manager will be the ideal scenario.

July 12 - Manchester United friendly

Leeds will renew acquaintances with a familiar foe at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm local time. The latest meeting at Elland Road ended in a 2-0 victory for the Red Devils, with Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford both scoring late on.

August 5 - Opening weekend

The Championship season usually begins with a televised fixture on Friday night, which could well see Leeds in action at home or away. However, fans counting down for the return of football should circle August 5 in their calendar as the most likely date for United's start of the season.

Week beginning August 7 - Carabao Cup first round

Just days after the Championship campaign gets under way, Leeds will face a Carabao Cup first-round tie. Securing a return to the Premier League will be the priority, but the draw could present the Whites with a chance of a welcome cup run.

September 1 - Summer transfer window closes

It will certainly be a hectic summer at Elland Road, with plenty of players both leaving and joining the club. There is still almost three months to go until this deadline however, and Allardyce's successor will be hoping all business will be wrapped up way ahead of the 11pm deadline.