Manchester United begin their Premier League campaign at home to Fulham on Friday evening, in the opening fixture of the 2024/25 campaign.
Erik ten Hag’s team are aiming to bounce back from the disappointment of an eighth-place finish last season, the club’s lowest league position in 34 years.
However, FA Cup success after beating Manchester City at Wembley and positive changes on and off the pitch over the summer have increased optimism ahead of the new campaign. United will be hoping for a positive start when Fulham arrive at Old Trafford this evening.
Manchester United vs Fulham – Predicted lineup and team news
Manchester United Team News
Ten Hag has confirmed that summer signings Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui are available for the clash with Fulham. The defensive duo arrived from Bayern Munich for a combined fee in the region of €60m this week and have been training with the first-team squad at Carrington in recent days. The pair reunite with Ten Hag, having previously worked under the Dutchman at Ajax.
Fellow recruit Leny Yoro is out, however, after the Frenchman broke his metatarsal in pre-season. The teenager is set to miss the opening weeks of the campaign as a result.
⏳ The countdown is over…
🔴 IT’S MATCHDAY! 🔴#MUFC || #MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/d8I4oWKPhs
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 16, 2024
Another absentee is Luke Shaw whose struggle for fitness continues. The England international is not expected to return to first-team action until after next month’s international break, leaving the Red Devils short at full-back following the sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to West Ham.
Lisandro Martinez started at left-back against Manchester City at the weekend and could again deputise in the position, which could allow De Ligt to make his debut as Harry Maguire’s partner in central defence. Victor Lindelof is a doubt to face Fulham.
Rasmus Hojlund is also out with a hamstring injury picked up in pre-season, which could lead to a Manchester United debut for Joshua Zirkzee. The forward was an unused substitute for the Community Shield defeat to Manchester City at the weekend, as he steps up his fitness following a £34m move from Bologna. Marcus Rashford offers an alternative at centre-forward for Ten Hag’s team.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup vs Fulham
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Maguire, De Ligt, Martinez; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford.
Manchester United vs Fulham kick-off time and TV channel
Manchester United host Fulham in the Premier League on Friday August 16th at Old Trafford, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST. The match will be shown live to a UK audience on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League with coverage on both channels starting at 6.30pm BST.
