Manchester United will kick off the brand new Premier League season at Old Trafford on Saturday against North London outfit Tottenham Hotspur. For the second consecutive years, United are playing their first match at home, but unlike last year, when Swansea City took three points away from them, the home team will be hoping for a better result against Spurs this time.
Once again, it turned out to be a highly productive summer transfer window for the Red Devils. United spent big on signing top quality players, and are expecting to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title in Louis van Gaal’s second season at the club.
United have strengthened the midfield department by signing German skipper Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich and Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton. The attacking midfield has been bolstered by the arrival of Dutch exciting talent Memphis Depay, while Matteo Darmian from Torino will add the much needed solidity in full back areas.
Mauricio Pochettino has added to his defence over the summer, while the club have done best to keep hold of their star players. Toby Alderweireld is a huge signing for the club, with Spurs fighting off other competitors to secure his services for a reported fee of £11.4m from Atletico Madrid.
Check out Soccerlens’s Spurs 2015-16 season preview
Date: Saturday, August 8
Time: 12.45 pm BST
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Live Stream: BT Sport
Manchester United vs Tottenham: Team News
Manchester United Team News
Louis van Gaal has stated in the press conference that Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw and Daley Blind will feature in the four-man defence. He was reportedly unhappy with the performances of Phil Jones in the pre-season matches, which means Chris Smalling could get a chance on the right central defence. Van Gaal has confirmed that David de Gea will start tomorrow, as the Spaniard is not in the right frame of mind.
The Dutchman could give debuts to new signings Depay, Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger. Marouane Fellaini is suspended for this tie, while Javier Hernandez will miss out after fracturing his collarbone.
Tottenham Hotspur Team News
Spurs goal keeper Hugo Lloris, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, is unlikely to start, despite returning from a fractured wrist in the midweek friendly win over AC Milan. New signings Toby Alderweireld, and Kieran Trippier may feature in defence.
Predicted Formations
Manchester United Possible Starting Lineup: (4-2-3-1) – Johnstone; Shaw, Blind, Smalling, Darmian; Schneiderlin, Carrick; Depay, Mata, Young; Rooney
Tottenham Hotspur Possible Starting Lineup: (4-2-3-1): Vorm; Rose, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Trippier; Mason, Bentaleb; Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela; Kane
Manchester United vs Tottenham: Key Stats
6 -Spurs finished in the top six in 2014-15 for the sixth season in a row
10 – Wayne Rooney has scored 10 goals in his 15 Premier League appearances for Manchester United versus Tottenham Hotspur.
24 – Kane’s goals earned Spurs 24 points, more than any other player in the Premier League
33 – Louis van Gaal used a league high 33 players last season
Let us know your predictions for the game
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