Happy Premier League season kickoff Manchester United fans! Old Trafford will see the Red Devils host Leicester City tonight in the very first game of the new campaign. The summer transfer window is now closed and United did not sign that centre back which they so desperately wanted.
One of their main targets, Harry Maguire, will be on the opposing sideline, but almost certainly won’t feature due to his extended post World Cup break. United, despite missing several key players from holidays, and several more due to injury, are still heavily favored in this one.
Manchester United Season Preview: go to this link
Manchester United Transfer Window Report Card: go to this link
United will be without the services of the following injured players, in quotes and parentheses, you’ll find what Mourinho had to say yesterday when he gave an update on each one:
Antonio Valencia (“he was injured in the preseason”), Marcos Rojo (“he was injured in the World Cup”), Sergio Romero (“he had a surgery after his injury in the World Cup”), Diogo Dalot (“he had a surgery in Porto at the of April, and not yet ready), Ander Herrera (“injured against Bayern”) and Nemanja Matic (“injured in the World Cup and surgery in Philadelphia a couple of weeks ago”)
Also likely not to feature are the following players who just returned to training this past week, having been on post World Cup holidays: Paul Pogba (France, Champions), Romelu Lukaku, Marouane Fellaini (Belgium, third place) and Ashley Young (England, fourth place).
“They returned on Monday. You can imagine they are not really fit and ready,” Mourinho said, “But we have needs.”
As for the Foxes, they’re missing some of their big guns as well. Jonny Evans, Maguire (as we mentioned previously) and Jamie Vardy are all doubtful due to match fitness concerns. Demarai Gray may not feature as well (ankle). Nampalys Mendy (knock) and Matty James (achilles) are out injured.
Odds via Betway: United 11/20, Draw 14/5, Leicester 6/1
Manchester United Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Jose Mourinho Press Conference Video: go to this link
Prediction: United 0, Leicester City 0
As always feel free to post your own MUFC starting XI and match score predictions in the comments section below.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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