The United manager Louis Van Gaal has prepared a new side and his team will be desperate to avoid a second successive opening-day defeat at Old Trafford when Tottenham Hotspur visit for the inaugural match in the English Premier League 2015/16 season. One year ago, Manchester United started their season by a 2-1 defeat with Swansea City, which triggered an immense upset among the Red Devils. Van Gaal’s side recovered from their and steered his club back into the UEFA Champions League. The first match in the premier league bears a huge significance for both the players and the manager.
Manchester United was able to finish 4th in the last season of EPL. Van Gaal has overseen an extensive squad overhaul, which would grab the spotlight firmly on him. Besides his new recruits are desperate to win United’s first English Premier League title since 2012/13.
Manchester United New Side:
Dutch forward Memphis Depay joined Manchester United from PSV Eindhoven on 12th June 2015, in a four-year contract. United’s midfield is enriched with Bastian Schweinsteiger, who won FIFA World Cup with Germany. Bastian has collected every major honour with his previous club Bayern Munich.
Another new additions are Matteo Darmain, Morgan Schneiderlin and lastly Sergio Romero in the Manchester United squad. It was a busy transfer window for Louis Van Gaal, with United attempting to bridge the 17-point gap that existed last EPL season with the Champions Chelsea.
On the contrary, Angel Di Maria, who joined Manchester United last season from Real Madrid for a record transfer fee, has reportedly left the side for Paris Saint Germain. Robin Van Persie, Luis Nani and Rafael da Silva also left Manchester United for a better side.
Manchester United will be devoid of Marouane Fellaini, who’ll miss the game for a temporary suspension, in the first game of EPL on coming Saturday against Tottenham.
Also Read: Manchester United’s top targets for summer 2015
Tottenham Hotspur Side:
The Spur’s head coach Mauricio Pochettino is desperate to break into the top four in the Premier league table. It will be his second season with the Spurs as a head coach and this time he would be approaching with a definite target. In the last EPL season, Tottenham shipped a total 53 goals in the last season. This could a main reason, why Pochettino has strengthened his defence line by signing Toby Alderweireld, Kieran Trippier and Kevin Wimmer. They have showed some positive signs in the Audi Cup this week by defeating AC Milan in 2-0. Although they lost the 1st game with Real Madrid by 2-0 in Munich.
The Head Coach Pochettino said after the 2-0 victory over the Serie A side,
“We need to believe in these players. My sides need time and love. We need to improve more because it’s only the beginning of the season and now we have to compete against Premier League teams. I think we are ready to face the challenge.”
Tottenham hotspur have doubt over playing Andros Townsend and Roberto Soldado due to injuries. Manchester United on the other hand, are likely to play without Javier Hernandez and Marcos Rojo as they returned late in the training session after playing Copa America in Chile.
Also read: Most expensive Transfers between Premier League Clubs
Let’s have a look at who will be playing at tommorow’s match-
Manchester United:
De Gea, Sergio Romero, Victor Valdes, Lindegaard, Matteo Darmain, Evans, Blackett, Jones, Luke Shaw, McNair, Smalling, Blind, Herrera, Mata, Januzaj, Carrick, Pereira, Powell, Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Young, Valencia, Depay, Rooney and Wilson.
Tottenham Hotspur:
Lloris, Vorm, Davies, Alderweireld, Davies, Dier, Rose, Fazio, Trippier, Vertonghen, Wimmer, Walker, Alli, Yedlin, Bentaleb, Carroll, Chadli, Cedallos, Eriksen, Dembele, Lennon, Mason, Lamela, Townsend, Adebayor, Kane and Soldado.
Veneu: Old Trafford Stadium
Match referees:
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Assistants: J Brooks, E Smart
Fourth Official: A Marriner
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Manchester United Vs Tottenham Hotspur : EPL Match Facts
Venue – Old Trafford | image credit – Wikimedia/André Zahn
1. Manchester United started their last season of EPL at Old Trafford with a 2-1 defeat against Swansea City. It was the first time since 1972/73 that Red Devils have lost at their home ground on the opening weekend of premier league.
2. United striker Wayne Rooney is the only to score more goals (6) on the opening weekend of EPL than any other current footballers.
3. Manchester United are the only team in the history of EPL to lose on the opening weekend, but ultimately go on to win the Premier League title as in 1992/93, 1995/96 and 2012/13 season.
4. Tottenham Hotspur have lost 18 games of their 23 trips to Old Trafford since 1992/93. But the Spurs have won at the Old Trafford in two of the last three seasons of English Premier League.
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