Manchester United will kick off their league campaign at Old Trafford for the 10th time in 11 seasons, as they host Fulham on Friday.
This marks the eighth consecutive year they've started the Premier League at home, setting a new record. Despite being just the first game of the season, the pressure is already mounting on Erik ten Hag and his squad.
Last season was tough for United, both in the Premier League and in Europe. However, they found a glimmer of hope when they defeated Manchester City to win the FA Cup. But that joy was short-lived, as they lost to the same rivals in their first competitive match of the new season, narrowly missing out on the Community Shield at Wembley after a 1-1 draw led to a penalty shootout defeat.
Amidst rumors and behind-the-scenes moves by United's new owners, Ten Hag has managed to keep his position. He will be joined by a familiar face, as Ruud van Nistelrooy returns to partner with him in the dugout. Additionally, new signings Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui have been brought in to strengthen an injury-ridden defense.
Pre-season results have been mixed, with three losses in five matches, including a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool in the USA, raising some concerns. Nonetheless, the 20-time English champions are now fully focused on their first league match.
Last season at home, United suffered six defeats in 19 Premier League games, including one against Friday's opponents, Fulham. Historically, United has dominated this fixture, winning 24 of the previous 33 meetings, but they were stunned by a 2-1 loss to Fulham at Old Trafford in February. Fulham will now be looking to secure back-to-back victories at United's home ground for the first time ever.
While United has been busy in the transfer market, Fulham is still rebuilding after losing key players like Tosin Adarabioyo, Joao Palhinha, and long-time defender Tim Ream over the summer. Under Marco Silva's guidance, Fulham finished 13th last season.
Silva, who turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli to remain in England, has seen his team improve their away form, winning two of their last three away games and drawing the other.
Interestingly, three of the last four league encounters between Fulham and United have ended in away wins, all thanks to late goals. Silva himself has an unbeaten record in nine opening-day matches, suggesting that Fulham might have a strong chance of getting a positive result on Friday.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Erik ten Hag's former Ajax players, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, have joined Manchester United from Bayern Munich and might feature in Friday's game, but United is already facing a familiar defensive dilemma as they return to Premier League action.
New signing Leny Yoro is out for several months due to a foot injury sustained in pre-season, and the defensive lineup is further weakened by the absences of Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, and Victor Lindelof. Harry Maguire, who started against Manchester City, is still not fully fit.
In attack, Rasmus Hojlund, last season’s joint-top league scorer for United, won't be available to partner with Joshua Zirkzee. Though Zirkzee didn’t play at Wembley, he might start up front. Alternatively, Jadon Sancho or captain Bruno Fernandes could step in as a false nine.
On Fulham's side, after Aleksandar Mitrovic's sudden exit, young Brazilian striker Rodrigo Muniz became the team's top scorer last season with nine league goals. Muniz will likely be supported by former United midfielder Andreas Pereira, with new signing Emile Smith Rowe, who scored on his only previous Premier League start at Old Trafford, also expected to play.
Another recent arrival, Jorge Cuenca, may need time to settle in, so Issa Diop and Calvin Bassey could form the central defensive partnership for Marco Silva's team.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Onana; Dalot, De Ligt, Martinez, Mazraoui; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Reed; Iwobi, Pereira, Smith Rowe; Muniz
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Manchester United 2-1 Fulham
