Memphis Depay is set to make his debut for Manchester United against Tottenham Hotspur
Yes! It is back! Manchester United will take part in what is the 4,443rd league match of the club’s history, honestly. United fans welcome another whirlwind of a Louis van Gaal season, with new faces in the starting berth – including Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin. Gone are fan favourites, such as Rafael as well as players who should have been fan favourites but never came close, such as Angel Di Maria.
United fans will remember the impressive pre-season from last summer, reminiscent of a superb jager bomb night out, which came crashing down in a miserable hungover haze with the 2-1 home defeat to Swansea City last term. United need to get off to a good start against Tottenham, who were blown away by the home side in a 3-0 victory back in March.
Will United an opening day home match for the first time since the 3-0 victory over Newcastle United in 2010? Have your say in the comments on how United will line up and how the match will go. Some of the best comments will be displayed on the Twitter feed. Ole!
- This will be the 183rd time both clubs have met with United winning 85 of the games
- Manchester United assistant manager Ryan Giggs scored ten goals against Tottenham – the most against any league opposition
- Wayne Rooney is twenty goals away from beating Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 249 goals
View from the opposition
Yep, its that time of the year. Your fantasy dream team is finalised, you’re on an equal pegging with everyone else – including that fat Chelsea fan for accounts that has never been – and of course, you have a whole season of optimism ahead. Thankfully, that usually lasts for a mere 23 minutes into the opening fixture for most clubs, and Joe Chilton – a season ticket holder at White Hart Lane – would probably testify to, considering the fact that Spurs haven’t finished above Arsenal since 1995, it would be fair to say his answers come with a smidgen of pessimism.
If you fancy following Joe and pulling him up on his answers, have a look here on Twitter – @Chipchop17
1)What have you made of Spurs transfer dealings so far?
I think that we’ve got rid of a lot of deadwood, it’s great to see the back of Paulinho. The signings have been pretty unspectacular, Alderwierald will improve the defence, Trippier will challenge Walker. The real difference is that we’ve changed back to the approach of purchasing young players who have developments to make in their game, but who have great potential to become better players. Dele Alli will hopefully get a few chances this season.
2) What have you made of United’s transfers?
Great improvements in the midfield, Swienstiger and Sheniderlin are going to be a really tough midfield to cope with. I think that you still need a centre back and too much of the goal scoring burden will be on Rooney if you don’t get a striker, I suppose Depay could play up front with him, it will be interesting to see how united set up on Saturday as I haven’t really paid much attention in pre-season.
3)How big a loss is Angel Di Maria to United?
Where does he play in the team? I think you were playing your best at the end of the season. He wasn’t in the team. I don’t think that you’ll miss him.
4) Will the club retain the services of David De Gea?
I hope so , because that means that we will keep Lloris. I think that he will stay and it’s all just rumour mongering from the Spanish papers
5) Can Spurs qualify for the Champions League?
With the squad we have at the moment I don’t think so. I think that Liverpool post Gerrard will improve because he isn’t there anymore. I would have us down for 6th, a good run in the cups, and the continued development of our young team.
6)There were some stories linking Harry Kane away from Spurs. Will you keep hold of him?
Yeah I don’t think that there is any incentive to move at the moment. He wouldn’t get into City or Chelsea’s strongest XI. The only team that he would possibly sign for would be you, but again I think that is newspapers just speculating. I really hate the transfer window.
7) What United player have you secretly admired over the years?
I always loved how SAF would pick Ji-Sung Park for all the big games, he really made the most of his limited football ability, one of my premiership favourites. I love Keane since he’s retired, so intense.
8) Can United win the league?
I think that City and Chelsea are better than you, so I will say no. I think that you will be better than last year and will challenge but at least one of those two will be better than you.
9) What young players should we look out for coming through at Spurs?
The management thinks a lot of Harry Winks, at the moment he is back up to our central midfield, although I imagine that they will try and loan him out this season.
10) What is your prediction for the game?
After last year it will be interesting to see how we defend, it can’t be much worse. I think Spurs will go with have to go with Dier in midfield, which will hopefully keep it a bit tighter, 1-1.
David De Gea – Absence speaks volumes
For the whole summer, United fans have sworn that by some small chance the club will retain the services of the Spanish keeper (despite Real Madrid having sold their iconic keeper Iker Casillas), whilst other clubs have held their swollen bellies, trying to contain the laughter like some medieval jester. By the looks of things, all is not well with David De Gea at United – and it hasn’t been for some time.
United are trying to look strong in the face of adversity. Over the years, United have lost David Beckham, Ruud vanNistelrooy, Gabriel Heinze and of course, one of the best players we have ever seen – Cristiano Ronaldo. It is looking like David De Gea will join that list of players this season or if, for some miraculous reason, United manage to spurn the advances of the Madrid club – then surely he will depart on a free next summer. United are holding out for Sergio Ramos in exchange for David De Gea and some dosh. Who knows what is going on behind closed doors – but following his distant performance against PSG in the 2-0 defeat, De Gea appears to be a man with his mind elsewhere.
Team news
David De Gea will miss the game, which could mean a debut for Sergio Romero – Manchester United’s new goalkeeper having signed from Sampdoria. Fellow Argentine Marcos Rojo is likely to miss the match as well as German World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger, who signed from Bayern Munich earlier in the summer. Both players are not considered to be match fit, which is the reason for their absence. Louis van Gaal expressed the fact that United have “no injuries” – but all three players mentioned are due to miss the match.
Marouane Fellaini is suspended for his oaf like challenge in the final game of the season against Hull City, but with Memphis Depay set to make his debut just off of Wayne Rooney up top, United fans are excited at the prospect of a pacy and dynamic duo.
Prediction
A closer game than the 3-0 victory last March, but United to run out 2-0 winners – with a late goal to seal the victory.
What do you think the score will be? Leave your comments below.
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