Sports Mole previews the opening game of the Premier League season as Jose Mourinho's half-strength Manchester United take on Leicester City at Old Trafford. The Premier League campaign kicks off with two former champions on Friday evening as Manchester United entertain Leicester City at Old Trafford. Jose Mourinho's side have endured a difficult pre-season period, full of fitness and transfer frustrations, but have won their opening game in each of the last three seasons. Man Utd © Reuters The Red Devils find themselves in the unusual position of being overlooked as title contenders. They have a 19-point gap to make up on champions Manchester City from last term and there is a lot more optimism of a challenge across the border at Liverpool than there is at United. Mourinho's last two jobs - at Real Madrid and Chelsea - have ended turbulently during his third year in charge and there are signs that history could repeat itself. The Portuguese appears to have alienated Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial, two of his most exciting offensive players, to the extent that both have been angling for a move away from Manchester this summer, according to reports. United's pre-season results and performances have been underwhelming and Mourinho has publicly belittled the young players who made up their US touring party in the absence of those World Cup stars who have enjoyed an extended break. One positive from United's summer is the form of Alexis Sanchez, who was far from his glittering best upon joining from Arsenal last January. With several of United's star names likely to miss the start of the campaign there will be pressure on the Chilean to hit the ground running. However, Sanchez had admitted his disappointment with United's summer business and the lack of quality arrivals. Defensive midfielder Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk is the club's only major acquisition, along with young defender Diogo Dalot and third-choice goalkeeper Lee Grant. The Red Devils were linked with a host of centre-backs on deadline day but moves for Atletico Madrid's Diego Godin, Tottenham Hotspur's Toby Alderweireld or Leicester City's own Harry Maguire never materialised, with suggestions that Mourinho and the board were at odds over the preferred target. There seems to be the potential for United to implode in the same manner that Chelsea did in Mourinho's second spell at Stamford Bridge, but a few good results to start the campaign might get them back on track. Pre-season form: LWLDDD Leicester © Reuters Claude Puel survived the summer but will know that his position may not be secure for long unless he can turn around the form in which the Foxes finished last season. After a honeymoon period of one defeat in his first nine matches upon arriving last October, the Frenchman oversaw just five wins across the next 21 league games and Leicester only narrowly hung on to a top-half finish. The club's owners have been spoilt by the miracle title win of 2015-16 as they have not since gone through a season without making a managerial sacking, and they may not waste much time continuing that trend unless Puel can show improvements immediately. Riyad Mahrez finally got his move to Man City and leaves a huge creative and goalscoring void, having contributed a combined 60 goals and assists across the last three seasons. Leicester will be hoping that lightning strikes twice having brought in another Algerian winger - Rachid Ghezzal - from AS Monaco as his direct replacement. Norwich City youngster James Maddison has also arrived but most of Leicester's recruitment focus this summer was on shoring up a defence which conceded 60 goals last term - the fifth worst record in the division. Portugal international Ricardo Pereira should make the right-back spot his own after joining from Porto, while Jonny Evans is a very astute signing as partner to Maguire, for whom the Foxes reportedly rejected two offers from Friday's opponents. The England World Cup hero, along with Jamie Vardy, will be key to Leicester's hopes of launching a European bid, but they will need the likes of Demarai Gray and Kelechi Iheanacho to step up if they are to keep pace. Pre-season form: WDLDW Team News © Reuters United have an extensive injury list including midfielders Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera as well as captain Antonio Valencia. Eric Bailly is another doubt so Victor Lindelof is on standby to partner Chris Smalling in a defence which could also include Matteo Darmian and Luke Shaw, despite their disposability to Mourinho. The World Cup contingent of Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Jesse Lingard, Romelu Lukaku and Pogba are unlikely to feature. Marcus Rashford may be rushed back to play wide left due to Mourinho's shortage of options, which is not helped by Martial's uncertain future, with Sanchez expected to start through the middle. Fred will make his debut in a three-man midfield designed to get the best out of Pogba on his return, and alongside him Andreas Pereira finally has the chance to prove himself after a decent loan spell at Valencia last term. Puel could hand debuts to Ricardo Pereira and Maddison, and will make a late call on Evans who is nursing a muscle strain. Maguire is short of match fitness but is on hand to deputise with 21-year-old signing Filip Benkovic unlikely to be thrown in at the deep end. Otherwise, he and Vardy will probably start on the bench. Man Utd possible starting lineup: De Gea; Darmian, Bailly, Smalling, Shaw; Fred, Pereira, McTominay; Mata, Rashford, Sanchez Leicester possible starting lineup: Schmeichel; Pereira, Morgan, Evans, Chilwell; Ndidi, Iborra; Albrighton, Maddison, Gray; Iheanacho Head To Head United are unbeaten in eight matches against the Foxes since losing a 5-3 classic at the King Power Stadium in Leicester's first season back in the top flight in 2014. They also faced them in August last season, when goals from Rashford and Fellaini earned Mourinho's men a 2-0 win. The Red Devils have only lost at home once to the East Midlands outfit in the Premier League era - back in 1998 when Tony Cottee scored the winning goal. We say: Man Utd 1-1 Leicester That prospective United lineup must be as uninspiring as any they have fielded for the first game of a Premier League season. Sanchez is the sole player of real quality and it is difficult to see where his service is going to come from as that midfield lacks proven creativity. Although their recent record against the Red Devils is not great, Leicester do fare quite well against top-six opposition because of their counter-attacking strengths and they will take advantage of United's missing men to take a valuable opening-day point away from Old Trafford.<doc-sep>The first game of the new season sees the Red Devils host the Foxes at Old Trafford The Premier League is back and so is Paul Pogba for the first game of the season: Manchester United v Leicester City. Both sides are patched up having had several stars in the final four at the World Cup, which should make it fascinating viewing. 3 Marcus Rashford in action for Manchester United against Leicester City last season. Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho will hope his men can dispatch the Foxes, despite failing to land key summer transfer targets, but if they don’t we could be in for a fun post-match press conference. The game at Old Trafford kicks off at 7:45pm on Friday, August 10. Latest Premier League News GLORY Now Capoue and Foyth have shown Kane what can happen if you leave Tottenham NEWS Woeful De Gea stat, Solskjaer 'not at Man United's level', Rashford abused after final LIVE Transfer news: Poch Tottenham talks, £18m Leicester deal, Bayern sign English defender Finished Solskjaer ‘not Man United standard’ with Conte ideal replacement after final loss DRAMA Man United stunned by Villarreal as Solskjaer's search for silverware goes on TRANSFER West Ham target another Czech signing, while Vladimir Coufal begins contract talks gone Conte leaves Inter: Spurs would be 'match made in hell' due to 'trail of carnage' rebuild How Arsenal can learn from Chelsea and Man United to reach Champions League again OUT Maddison the 'most unlucky' to miss out on England team but Foxes ace 'lacks toughness' Probe Sterling ‘reputation’ got England spot as Alexander-Arnold Euro call-up is questioned What the managers are saying: Jose Mourinho (Manchester United): “It’s the same squad. We change the third goalkeeper for Lee [Grant] because Joel [Pereira] is such a good young goalkeeper that he needs to play. “We change [Daley] Blind for a 19-year-old kid [Dalot] that we believe has the potential to play right back and left back. “We changed [Michael] Carrick for Fred, so our squad is the same.” 3 Jose Mourinho did not get the defender he wanted in the summer transfer window Claude Puel (Leicester City): “I can confirm he (Harry Maguire) is going to Manchester – but only for a couple of hours! “I am happy to keep Harry. He is our best player. “I am a football manager and I want to keep our best players for the squad and for our season. We want to keep good ambition. “We lost Riyad Mahrez, who was a very valuable player for us, so it was important to keep our best players and have good additions to the squad. “We have to prepare for this season with good possibilities.” Most Popular Premier League News NEWS Woeful De Gea stat, Solskjaer 'not at Man United's level', Rashford abused after final LIVE Transfer news: Poch Tottenham talks, £18m Leicester deal, Bayern sign English defender TRANSFER West Ham target another Czech signing, while Vladimir Coufal begins contract talks gone Conte leaves Inter: Spurs would be 'match made in hell' due to 'trail of carnage' rebuild How Arsenal can learn from Chelsea and Man United to reach Champions League again force Van Dijk partnered with Konate and midfielder joins - Liverpool XI to challenge City deals Mbappe at Liverpool, Kane seeking winners - the big Prem transfers that could happen DOUBT Crystal Palace stars still ‘unclear’ over future as Townsend reveals European offers Angry James Maddison slammed for ‘disgraceful’ antics as Leicester crash out of top four linked Pochettino 'considering stunning Spurs return' with Levy admitting his mistake How can I listen? Click here to listen to reports on the game as it happens on talkSPORT. Confirmed teams Manchester United XI: De Gea, Darmian, Bailly, Lindelof, Shaw, Fred, Pogba, A.Pereira, Mata, Sanchez, Rashford. Leicester City XI: Schmeichel, Amartey, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell, Ndidi, Silva, Ricardo, Maddison, Gray, Iheanacho. Team news Manchester United’s squad is stretched on the opening day of the season. Sergio Romero, Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo and Diogo Dalot are out through injury on Friday, as are Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic. Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku, Ashley Young, Jesse Lingard and Marouane Fellaini miss out after returning late following their World Cup exertions and Anthony Martial’s fitness is unclear having missed the Bayern Munich pre-season friendly. But there is a surprise start for Pogba, who featured in the final in Russia less than a month ago. 3 Anthony Martial had been strongly linked with a move away from Man United this summer Leicester City are in a similar boat with Jamie Vardy out, while Jonny Evans and Nampalys Mendy also fail to make the starting XI. New recruit James Maddison makes his Premier League debut.<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Manchester United star Pogba is being heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, with the La Liga transfer window slamming shut on August 31. However, the France international looks set to stay and has now been given the captaincy for tonight's match with Leicester. Manchester United are yet to settle on a permanent captain since Michael Carrick chose to quit football to join Jose Mourinho's coaching staff. Antonio Valencia, who normally wears the armband, is currently sidelined through injury. And Pogba's inclusion for tonight's match will no doubt be well-received by United fans.<doc-sep>
Everything you need to know ahead of the Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Friday Manchester United and Leicester City raise the curtain on the Premier League season on Friday night at Old Trafford, and for the home side the new campaign will come as blessed relief following a turbulent summer. Jose Mourinho's squad bears a similar face to that on display last season, with Brazilian midfielder Fred their only established signing alongside back-up goalkeeper Lee Grant and promising young full-back Diogo Dalot. The Red Devils will also be partially affected by the late return of some of their players after successful World Cup campaigns, but some of them will be pushed into action by the manager due to a growing injury crisis which was increased during an indifferent run of form in their pre-season campaign. Man Utd Injuries United are without six players through injury alone for the opening game of the season, even overlooking those who may not yet be match fit following their late return to the camp. Nemanja Matic has undergone surgery on an abdominal issue picked up at the World Cup, while Dalot has also been under the knife due to a knee problem. Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo also had surgeries after being injured on international duty, with Romero having missed Argentina's entire run in Russia as a result. Antonio Valencia limped out of the pre-season draw with San Jose Earthquakes with a calf injury, while Ander Herrera is out after developing a problem during the loss to Bayern Munich last Sunday. Man Utd Suspensions Neither team has any suspension concerns carried over from the end of last season. Possible Man Utd Starting Line-Up Mourinho could well name a very similar line-up to the one which took the field against Bayern Munich last week, although he does have the option of calling in more than one of his late returners. The likes of Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku and Ashley Young have had less than a week's training after their progress to the final weekend of the World Cup and all three could be considered. With Herrera injured, Mourinho will be forced into at least one change, which will likely see him ask Pogba to step up and make a start, while Lukaku and Young may be given starts if the manager chooses to overlook Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw. Despite the club failing to add a centre-back during the transfer window, Mourinho still has many options in that department, and Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are among the alternatives to Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof. Meanwhile, Matteo Darmian continues to deputise for Valencia despite the fact he is likely to leave before the month is out, and Andreas Pereira should make his first league start for the club after season-long loan spells at Granada and Valencia. Leicester City Team News Foxes fans were given the double boost on Thursday of confirmation of Harry Maguire's presence this season following United's interest and the announcement that Jamie Vardy has signed a new long-term contract. Besides the news surrounding the England pair they have also had the injection of new signings Filip Benkovic and Caglar Soyuncu to add to a host of earlier purchases. Among them are former United centre-half Jonny Evans on a £3.5 million deal from relegated West Bromwich Albion, while Danny Ward has been signed from Liverpool for £12.5m as competition for long-term number one Kasper Schmeichel. Article continues below They also added £25m James Maddison from Norwich City and Ricardo Pereira from Porto for £22.5m, while Riyad Mahrez departed to Manchester City, to give Claude Puel's squad a fresh look heading into the new campaign following their ninth-place finish last time around. TV Channel & Kick-off time The match at Old Trafford kicks off at 8pm BST on Friday, with live coverage available in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event. In the U.S. the game will be shown on NBCSN at 3pm ET. Best Opta Match facts