After months and months of excruciatingly painful withdrawal symptoms, This Is Futbol are delighted to announce that our addiction to the English top flight has finally been satisfied by the grand opening of the 2015/16 Premier League season!
And it starts off with a real classic – Tottenham Hotspur paying a visit to Old Trafford at 12.45pm.
The Lilywhites haven’t always had the best luck on Manchester United’s home patch. In fact, their first Premier League victory at Old Trafford came just three years go under Andre Villas-Boas. But the encounters between both sides have been far closer since; three draws and one win apiece.
So with a spate of new signings and plenty of old faces on show, lead by two managers in Louis van Gaal and Mauricio Pochettino who will want to build upon their impressive platforms from last season, how will this one pan out?
Perhaps the official starting XIs, confirmed on Twitter just moments ago, can give us some insight.
#mufc subs: Johnstone, Valencia, McNair, Schweinsteiger, Herrera, Pereira, Chicharito.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 8, 2015
#THFC team: Vorm, Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen (c), Davies, Bentaleb Dier, Chadli, Eriksen, Dembele, Kane #COYS pic.twitter.com/qpc6qtRl0u
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 8, 2015
Of course, the most notable omissions are the two goalkeepers. Hugo Lloris isn’t match fit after missing much of pre-season through injury, whilst van Gaal has decided not to include David De Gea amid intense speculation over his future with the Red Devils.
Meanwhile, new boys Sergio Romeru, Mattia Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin and Toby Alderweireld all start, whilst Daley Blind is tested at the heart of United’s defence.