Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur. Premier League.
Old TraffordAttendance75,261.
Saturday 8 August 2015 16:37, UK
Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League opener on Saturday.
The two sides will meet at Old Trafford for the first game of the 2015/16 season in the lunchtime kick-off, with both sides looking to get off their new campaign off to the perfect start.
Both sides have been busy this summer, with Manchester United bringing in Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Sergio Romero, most of whom are in line to make their debuts.
Meanwhile, Spurs have added strength to their defence, with Kevin Wimmer, Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld arriving from Cologne, Burnley and Atletico Madrid respectively.
Boss Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping to avenge the defeat they suffered on their last trip to United, when Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney scored in a 3-0 win.
Team news
David de Gea has been left out of Manchester United's squad because Louis van Gaal says the goalkeeper has been affected by speculation regarding his future. Sergio Romero or Sam Johnstone could step in for their first appearance.
Midfielder Schweinsteiger and defender Marcos Rojo are unavailable as they lack match fitness.
Hugo Lloris will undergo a late fitness test before Pochettino makes a decision on whether to start him at Old Trafford, while striker Roberto Soldado and midfielder Ryan Mason also face late fitness tests.
Winger Andros Townsend remains a doubt and striker Emmanuel Adebayor is unlikely to feature.
Stats
Manchester United lost on opening day to Swansea last season, their first opening day defeat at home since 1972.
Louis van Gaal's side won just one of their final six Premier League games last season, taking just five points from an available 18.
Wayne Rooney has scored more goals on the opening weekend than any other current Premier League player - 6.
Tottenham had the worst defence of the sides in the top 13 last season, conceding 53 goals.
Harry Kane is yet to score against Manchester United in three attempts.
Tottenham have won on two of their last three trips to Old Trafford. United had been unbeaten in 26 home meetings in all competitions before that.
Merson's prediction
I'm going to go with Manchester United here but I have concerns whether their new signings will have had time to gel before the start of the season.
As for Spurs, I watched them against the MLS All-Stars and they started poorly and were 2-0 down in no time. If they do that at Old Trafford they’re going to be in trouble. Saying that, I expect things to be tight with United just edging it.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Manchester United are Sky Bet's 8/13 favourites to make a winning start to the new Premier League season against 5/1 shots Tottenham in Saturday's early kick-off.
United won the corresponding fixture last season 3-0, an 11/1 shot this time, but Spurs can go to Old Trafford with the confidence of having won at the venue on the previous two occasions.
Rooney has a great scoring record on the opening weekend of the season and is just 7/2 to break the deadlock, which is Jamie Redknapp’s tip, while Harry Kane is a 13/2 shot. Rooney and Kane both to get their names on the scoresheet is available at 15/2.
