Joe
As the 2024-25 Premier League season kicks off, Manchester United and Fulham are poised to clash in the opening fixture at Old Trafford. Both teams are eager to make a strong start, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter.
Manchester United enters the new season with high stakes after a disappointing eighth-place finish last year. Despite the challenges, manager Erik ten Hag remains in charge, having secured a contract extension. Expectations are soaring following the club’s significant investments in the transfer market.
United’s recent performance in the Community Shield, where they narrowly lost to Manchester City, provided glimpses of improvement. However, injuries are already taking their toll, particularly in defense. Leny Yoro, a £52 million acquisition from Lille, is out for the first three months, adding to the club’s defensive concerns. With Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof also doubtful, Ten Hag may have to rely on new signings Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.
The attack is another area of concern. Joshua Zirkzee, who remained on the bench during the Community Shield, could feature in the upcoming match. Ten Hag’s choice to start Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount in advanced roles against City might influence his lineup decisions. Additionally, Jadon Sancho, who has yet to fully earn Ten Hag’s trust, could be in contention for a starting spot.
On the other side, Fulham approaches the season with quiet confidence. Despite losing star midfielder Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich, the Cottagers have strengthened their squad by signing Emile Smith Rowe. The young midfielder impressed during pre-season, scoring in Fulham’s 2-0 victory over Hoffenheim, which capped off a successful summer campaign with four wins out of five matches.
Manager Marco Silva is relieved to have a fully fit squad available. In Fulham’s final friendly, Silva opted for a 4-3-3 formation, featuring Rodrigo Muniz leading the attack and Smith Rowe alongside Andreas Pereira and Sasa Lukic in midfield. Lukic, likely to fill the void left by Palhinha, will play a crucial role in Fulham’s campaign this season.
New signing Jorge Cuenca bolsters the defense, while Ryan Sessegnon’s anticipated return off the bench adds another layer of excitement to Fulham’s squad.
As both teams prepare for the opening match, all eyes will be on Old Trafford to see who can start the season with a statement victory.
