Manchester United kick off the 2024/2025 Premier League campaign with an 8pm kick-off at home to Fulham this evening.
It’s the first fixture of the term, meaning the Red Devils could put themselves atop the table with a comfortable win by the end of the night.
Getting off on the right foot is pivotal for both the players and fans’ morale. Given how last season ended – an eighth-placed finish – early results will only set the tone of how the subsequent nine months could play out, with each crucial to the standings come May.
Erik ten Hag has been his ranks bolstered by four new arrivals: Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Leny Yoro; the latter won’t make his competitive debut until around three months into the season after he fractured a metatarsal during a pre-season fixture.
Mazraoui and De Ligt, both of whom played under Ten Hag at Ajax, are in line to be involved from the get-go due to injury setbacks in the backline.
Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw’s fitness woes mean the Moroccan fullback will likely be called upon to deputise at left-back, with Diogo Dalot occupying his favoured position on the right-hand side.
Similarly, ex-Bayern Munich and Juventus stalwart De Ligt can slot – like 1xBet slots – straight into the 11 alongside formidable centre-half Lisandro Martinez.
As for Zirkzee, there are hopes that he can feature in some capacity, although reports have suggested that the club harbours concerns over his lack of experience in the English top flight, and he, therefore, may be eased into the action.
“We know our targets, we know we are in the right direction, we know we have won two trophies, and we know our game model,” Ten Hag said (via ManUtd.com) ahead of his third year in the dugout. “So, now we have to integrate the new players where we think they can improve the game model. Improve the team levels, and we take it from there. I always have very high expectations, but we want to go for trophies.”
Should United claim silverware in any form in 24/25, it’ll mark a third trophy in as many seasons for the manager, and their FA Cup triumph in May ensured they have an extra opportunity to do so by sealing qualification for the Europa League.
There’s also extra incentive to excel in the league, as Manchester City getting their hands on the title again would mark an unprecedented feat of five titles in a row.
