CURTAIN RAISER
Man Utd vs Fulham: Red Devils kickstart Premier League season with tough test against Cottagers – stream, team news
Scroll down for all the details ahead of the opening match of the Premier League season
MANCHESTER UNITED host Fulham TONIGHT to kick-start the new Premier League campaign with a bang.
The Red Devils will be looking to brush off their penalty shootout heartache in the Community Shield last weekend and start the new season as they mean to go on.
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Erik ten Hag's men were minutes away from securing a win over neighbours Man City under the Wembley arch, but Bernardo Silva's late strike took the tie to spot-kicks.
It's not only a new season for United, but the start of a new era under the control of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The club has undergone a major restructuring under their new billionaire chief and will be hoping he is the right man to steer the Manchester giants back on track.
For Man Utd fans, tonight's clash represents the start of their first full campaign under the stewardship of Ratcliffe.
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And with a new era comes a new-look squad, as Ten Hag and Ratcliffe have added the likes of Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee this summer.
This week saw further additions, with Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui joining the club from Bayern Munich.
Red Devils supporters will be hoping the fresh faces can bring a new lease of life to their team after last season's dismal efforts in the league saw then finish eighth.
Fulham will be aiming to build on last season's 13th-place finish but will be without star man Joao Palhinha, following his £47m switch to Bayern Munich.
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However, the cottagers may have found themselves a new superstar after snatching Emile Smith Rowe away from London rivals Arsenal for just £34m.
Marco Silva has also welcomed central defender Jorge Cuenca from Villarreal and sealed the return of academy graduate Ryan Sessegnon from Tottenham.
Neither side will want to embarrass themselves with every football fan tuning in to tonight's kick off to get their first taste of Premier League football in three months.
What is their form like?
Man Utd have had a mixed bag when it comes to their pre-season preparations.
The Red Devils have seen wins over Rangers and Real Betis caveated by a shock defeat to Norwegian side Rosenborg and losses to both Liverpool and Arsenal on their US Tour.
Their tightly-fought battle with City on Saturday is perhaps the best measuring stick for their form given that it is the only competitive game either side have played since May.
Fulham lost just one of their three pre-season friendlies, a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands Spanish giants Sevilla.
But their two wins, rather impressively, came over Hoffenheim and Portuguese heavyweights Benfica.
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What is the team news and any injuries to worry about?
It may be a new look and a new era for Manchester United, but it's the same old injury problems.
They'll be without new £52m signing Leny Yoro as he continues to recover from surgery, following an injury on his pre-season debut for the club.
Rasmus Hojlund, who was injured in the same game, is expected to miss the first month of the season with his knock.
New striker Joshua Zirkzee is yet to get any minutes for United and would be a surprise starter if he was named in Ten Hag's starting lineup, with Bruno Fernandes likely to reprise his role as a false nine in Hojlund's absence.
Luke Shaw could feature after returning from injury at the back end of Euro 2024 with England.
Victor Lindelof didn't play any part against Man City in the Community Shield, but his injury is not believed to be serious.
Meanwhile, Fulham fans will be hoping that new boy Emile Smith Rowe is handed a start in their Premier League curtain raiser after some encouraging showings during their pre-season tour.
In contrast to United, Marco Silva's Cottagers currently have no injury issues heading into the Premier League curtain raiser.
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Who will be the star men?
Bruno Fernandes continues to be the go-to star at Old Trafford whenever he is needed.
The United captain may be forced to play in an unfamiliar position tonight, but expect him to be knitting things together and leading from the front for Erik ten Hag's side.
It's easy to get carried away with new signings, but everyone who watched Arsenal in 2021/22 knows just how good Emile Smith Rowe can be.
The 24-year-old has looked like his former self in Fulham's pre-season preparations, scoring twice in as many games, and could carry that forward into tonight's clash.
What have the manager's said?
Erik ten Hag is taking the positives from his side's penalty defeat at the hands of Man City.
The Dutchman is still confident his side can do something special this season.
Speaking after the Community Shield, he said: "We are going in the new season. I am very pleased with the new structure.
"We are working very good together. The team was always good but I think we can make steps forwards.
"I think from pre-season, and also today, we can take positives but I think if we step up and are more clinical in both boxes, then we can be a successful team."
Marco Silva has reflected on his side's pre-season tour of Europe, suggesting it's helped the side prepare for the upcoming challenge of the Premier League campaign.
He said: "It was a very, very good moment for us to create this bond between the players.
"And to help all of the new players to adapt well for their new teammates and new ideas.
"As well we played good games, intense games, and difficult games for us - it's been a good preparation."
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SunSport prediction
Fulham have looked strong in pre-season and will be buoyed by the way some of their new arrivals have taken like ducks to water.
But a raucous Old Trafford welcoming back their side and ringing in a new era could be a bit too much for Marco Silva's men on the opening day.
Expect a right affair under the lights at the Theatre of Dreams.
Manchester United 2-1 Fulham
When is Man Utd vs Fulham?
- Man Utd vs Fulham will take place TONIGHT, Friday, August 16.
- Kick off will be at 8pm BST.
- Old Trafford will host.
What TV channel is Man Utd vs Fulham on and can it be live streamed?
- Man Utd vs Fulham will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event.
- Sky Sports customers can live stream all the action via the NOW app/website.
- Alternatively, you can follow SunSport's live blog to keep up to date with all the action.
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What are the odds?
- Man Utd to win 4/7
- Draw 17/5
- Fulham to win 9/2
*Odds courtesy of are correct at time of publication
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