Manchester United kicks off their 2024/25 season tonight as they welcome Fulham to Old Trafford, marking their eighth consecutive season opener at this iconic venue. Erik ten Hag will be confident heading into this match, given Fulham’s historical struggles against United in season openers.
However, Fulham will be seeking redemption after last season’s heartbreaking 2-1 defeat, where Alex Iwobi scored a dramatic 97th-minute winner, capitalizing on a lapse in United’s defense.
This season, United’s defense will have a fresh look, thanks to the summer signings of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich. Ten Hag has hinted that both new arrivals could feature in tonight’s match, alongside Harry Maguire, who remains a part of the squad despite ongoing speculation about his future.
In his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag emphasized focusing on the players who are available rather than those who are sidelined. “We have a good group, we can make a strong selection, we can put out a strong team and we will do,” he asserted, reinforcing his confidence in the squad’s depth.
As Ten Hag enters his third season with United, the big question is whether the team can start strong under his continued leadership. While some pundits are optimistic, others have reservations about United’s chances this season.
Paul Merson, writing for SportsKeeda, expressed concerns about United’s consistency. He described the upcoming match as challenging, noting United’s potential for unpredictable performances.
Merson pointed out that Manchester United’s transfer dealings this summer, particularly the acquisition of De Ligt, have been sluggish, leaving questions about the Dutch defender’s readiness. Merson also lamented the sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, whom he considered one of United’s stronger defenders.
Merson suggested that Lisandro Martinez, who has recovered from injury, could be deployed as a full-back due to Luke Shaw’s absence, with De Ligt and Maguire likely forming the central defensive partnership.
He also highlighted Diogo Dalot’s strong performances last season, making him a key player in United’s defense for this match.
Fulham, according to Merson, is a capable side when their players are fit, possessing the ability to maintain possession and cause problems for opponents. He predicted that Fulham could frustrate United in this opener, forecasting a 1-1 draw as the likely outcome of tonight’s match.
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