MANCHESTER UNITED open the 2024/25 Premier League season against Fulham TONIGHT.
The Red Devils have undergone a major restructure over the summer as the first full season of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era begins at Old Trafford.
Despite speculation around Erik ten Hag’s future, the Dutchman remains as Man Utd gaffer after he signed a contract extension in July.
The Red Devils boss has strengthened his side over the summer with the additions of Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro – as he looks to guide the club back to being title contenders.
Fulham has seen some big players leave during the window, most notably Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich and Tosin Adarabioyo’s short move to Chelsea.
But Marco Silva has made a statement signing with the arrival of Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal – and fans will be hoping to see the 24-year-old in action tonight.
- Kick off time: 8pm BST
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event/Premier League
- Live stream: NOW/Sky Sports app
- Man Utd team: To follow…
- Fulham team: To follow…
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Bru-ing up a storm
Bruno Fernandes continues to be the go-to star at Old Trafford whenever he is needed.
The United captain may be forced to play in an unfamiliar position tonight, but expect him to be knitting things together and leading from the front for Erik ten Hag’s side.
Team news
It may be a new look and a new era for Manchester United, but it’s the same old injury problems.
They’ll be without new £52m signing Leny Yoro as he continues to recover from surgery, following an injury on his pre-season debut for the club.
Rasmus Hojlund, who was injured in the same game, is expected to miss the first month of the season with his knock.
New striker Joshua Zirkzee is yet to get any minutes for United and would be a surprise starter if he was named in Ten Hag’s starting lineup, with Bruno Fernandes likely to reprise his role as a false nine in Hojlund’s absence.
Luke Shaw could feature after returning from injury at the back end of Euro 2024 with England.
Victor Lindelof didn’t play any part against Man City in the Community Shield, but his injury is not believed to be serious.
Ten Hag confirmed that new signings Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui will be in the squad and could make their debuts this evening.
Meanwhile, Fulham fans will be hoping that new boy Emile Smith Rowe is handed a start in their Premier League curtain raiser after some encouraging showings during their pre-season tour.
In contrast to United, Marco Silva’s Cottagers currently have no injury issues heading into the Premier League curtain raiser.
Credit: Getty Good evening and welcome to SunSport’s live blog of Man Utd vs Fulham!
The wait is finally over the Premier League is back – and we have a cracking opener at Old Trafford this evening.
Man Utd will be looking to brush off their penalty shootout heartache in the Community Shield last weekend and start the new season as they mean to go on.
Erik ten Hag’s men were minutes away from securing a win over neighbours Man City under the Wembley arch, but Bernardo Silva’s late strike took the tie to spot-kicks.
It’s not only a new season for United, but the start of a new era under the control of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The club has undergone a major restructuring under their new billionaire chief and will be hoping he is the right man to steer the Manchester giants back on track.
For Man Utd fans, tonight’s clash represents the start of their first full campaign under the stewardship of Ratcliffe.
And with a new era comes a new-look squad, as Ten Hag and Ratcliffe have added the likes of Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee earlier this summer.
This week saw further additions, with Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui joining the club in a £60million deal from Bayern Munich.
Red Devils supporters will be hoping the fresh faces can bring a new lease of life to their team after last season’s dismal efforts in the league saw then finish eighth.
Fulham will be aiming to build on last season’s 13th-place finish but will be without star man Joao Palhinha, following his £47m switch to Bayern Munich.
However, the cottagers may have found themselves a new superstar after snatching Emile Smith Rowe away from London rivals Arsenal for just £34m.
Marco Silva has also welcomed central defender Jorge Cuenca from Villarreal and sealed the return of academy graduate Ryan Sessegnon from Tottenham.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
