The new English Premier League season gets underway on Friday with Manchester United kicking things off hosting Fulham at Old Trafford. For the 10th time in 11 campaigns, the Red Devils get their season started on home soil. The Cottagers have lost 24 of their last 33 EPL games against United although Marco Silva himself is unbeaten in nine opening day fixtures.
Erik ten Hag’s men are under pressure from the off after a poor season last time out which only saw FA Cup success provide a rare positive towards the end. Bitter rivals Manchester City got the better of United in the FA Community Shield curtain-raiser but Ten Hag’s squad has received a much-needed boost with Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee all coming in. United lost six times from 19 EPL games at home last year which included this week’s opponents Fulham.
Silva’s side are looking for consecutive wins on the road against United for the first time in their history. The Cottagers are rebuilding after Tosin Adarabioyo, Joao Palhinha and Tim Ream all left, but Emile Smith Rowe and Jorge Cuenca have come in. The Fulham boss was also offered a lucrative deal to go to Saudi Arabia but opted to stay and knows that better away form could be key to the Londoners improving on last year’s 13th place.
Here are our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe.
Thanks for signing up!
Keep an eye on your inbox.
Sorry!
There was an error processing your subscription.
How to watch and odds
- Date: Friday, August 16 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Old Trafford — Manchester, England
- TV: USA Network | Live stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Odds: United -167; Draw +333; Fulham +400
Team news
United: Ten Hag could start De Ligt and Mazraoui after their arrivals and Yoro’s injury. It all feels very familiar for United fans with defensive injuries also a theme last year with the likes of the now departed Raphael Varane. Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Victor Lindelof are unavailable while Harry Maguire started against City but is not match fit. Rasmus Hojlund is also out which could see Zirkzee start while Jadon Sancho is back in contention despite transfer speculation while captain Bruno Fernandes could start after agreeing terms over a new deal.
Possible United XI: Onana; Dalot, De Ligt, Martinez, Mazraoui; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee.
Fulham: Rodrigo Muniz led the Cottagers for goals last year after Aleksandar Mitrovic’s exit and the Brazilian is likely to be backed up by former United man Andreas Pereira and new arrival Smith Rowe. As Cuenca gets up to speed, expect to see Issa Diop and Calvin Bassey in the central defensive positions.
Possible Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Reed; Iwobi, Pereira, Smith Rowe; Muniz.
Prediction
This one feels like it could be a sluggish start for United with a score draw about right. Ten Hag’s men could sneak it but Silva’s side should be able to peg them back and start their season with a point on the road. Pick: United 1, Fulham 1.
