THE WAITING IS over. England’s top flight is back, meaning it’s the equivalent of Christmas morning for fans of the Premier League.
As always, the opening day throws up several questions. Are my club stronger this season after the summer signings? Which of those new arrivals will be thrown straight into the deep end? Can they be the difference?
It’s over to the Old Trafford for the curtain-raiser where last season’s fourth play fifth as Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur. Kick off is just under an hour away.
The teams are in and there are four Premier League debuts for the home side.
With David De Gea’s future still up in the air, new signing Sergio Romero has been named in goal. Italian full-back Matteo Darmien comes into a four-man defence alongside Chris Smalling, Daley Blind and Luke Shaw, while Morgan Schneiderlin will partner Michael Carrick in midfield.
Further up the pitch, new number 7 Memphis Depay joins an attack which also includes Juan Mata, Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney.
Meanwhile, Spurs hand a debut to Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld, who spent last season on loan at Southampton from Athletico Madrid, and Harry Kane begins up front. First choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is on the bench with Michel Vorm getting the nod.
Man United: Romero; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw; Carrick, Memphis, Schneiderlin; Mata, Rooney, Young. Subs: Johnstone, Valencia, McNair, Schweinsteiger, Herrera, Pereira, Hernandez.
Tottenham: Vorm; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Bentaleb; Eriksen, Demeble, Chadli; Kane. Subs: Lloris, Trippier, Wimmer, Alli, Carroll, Lamela, Mason.
It’s a huge day for the Argentine number one Sergio Romero. The 28-year-old joined on a free last month, having most recently played in Serie A with Sampdoria.
“We have tried everything with David to focus him on the match but we have seen it in the preparation period that it was very difficult for him so we decided to make the decision to not play him.” – Louis van Gaal speaking to BT Sport about his goalkeeping situation just now.
Harry Redknapp joins Rio Ferdinand for BT Sport’s coverage this afternoon. Here’s the former QPR boss telling a story about Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock from his West Ham days. Bit early in the day for that type of anecdote, ‘Arry…
Right, predictions please…
Poll Results:
For what it’s worth, I’m going 3-1 to the home side.
The teams are out on the pitch and we’re ready to get underway.
Man United line up in a 4-2-3-1 with Rooney leading the attack, while Spurs are using a similar formation. They have been pressing high up the pitch during these early stages.
Great chance for Spurs! Dembele feeds Kane and he dinks a ball into the path of Eriksen. The Dane controls with his head before attempting to lob Romero. The effort lands on the top of the net and it’s a major let-off for United.
Tottenham have had some joy in the last few minutes and Alderweireld gets his head to a corner but it’s cleared away by Rooney before United are awarded a free-kick.
That was a poor clearance from Romero when it should have been routine.
Seconds later, Walker gets in around the back but the United keeper is out quickly to make the block.
GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham (Kyle Walker OG 22′)
The first goal of the season has been scored and it is an extremely fortuitous one. Rooney is picked out in the middle and tries to sort out his feet to shoot, but Walker rushes back and ends up prodding it into his own net.
Rooney finds himself in space and rolls the ball into the feet of Mata. The Spaniard cuts inside and sees his initial shot blocked. At the second attempt, he then drives a strike just wide.
Depay takes on his man and drills the ball at a Spurs player. United have been on top since the goal after a bright spell from Spurs.
Half-time: Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham
Little between the teams at the halfway point. Tottenham’s early performance suggested they would cause United some problems today but the goal has taken the wind out of their sails somewhat.
The second half has just kicked off. No changes at either side.
Blind gives away possession but wins it back straight away and begins an attack. Shaw and Rooney are involved, then Memphis shows nice feet to make a yard for himself and blaze over the bar.
Bastian Schweinsteiger has just been given a warm welcome from the home fans as he jogs down the touchline.
Change for Spurs. Bentaleb is off, with Ryan Mason taking his place.
Another Man United new boy is about to make his competitive bow. Schweinsteiger is on for Carrick.
A decent United move involving Schweinsteiger, Rooney and Matteo ends in Young shooting low to force Vorm into a save.
Van Gaal with another substitute – Memphis makes way for Ander Herrera, who will have been disappointed at being left out after an impressive first season at the club.
Schweinsteiger gives the ball away and needs a timely-tackle from Smalling to bail him out as Kane was driving into the box.
Rooney attempts a scissors-kick from Darmien’s cross after another prolonged period of possession. He gets his timing wrong, however, and the Unite captain skews into the air.
Yellow card for Dier after a challenge on Young but the defender isn’t happy with the winger’s theatrical dive.
Rooney takes the resulting free-kick, and curls it high and wide.
19-year-old Dele Alli has just been introduced for Dier.
Darmien, who has enjoyed a fine debut, is Man United’s third and final substitution. On in his place comes Antonio Valencia.
Alderweireld picks out Eriksen with a wonderful diagonal ball and the attacker opts to fire at goal early. Romero has it covered all the way.
More defending for home side to do and a double save from Romero. First, he pushes the ball away after a downward header from Kane. Then the keeper is forced into a save from a strike by Eriksen.
Four minutes of added time to play.
Full-time: Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham
A year ago, Louis van Gaal suffered defeat to Swansea in his first ever Premier League match. He didn’t make the same mistake this time around and celebrates his 64th birthday with a win over Spurs.
