Tomorrow sees the return of the Premier League, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur getting the ball rolling for the 2015/16 season.
Spurs will be looking to build on a respectable fifth place finish last time out and, as always, will set their aims high – looking to reach the top four and Champions League football.
After a season of building at Manchester United under Louis Van Gaal, the Dutchman will be looking at challenging for the title with his side, especially considering the players they have brought in this summer.
New Signings
On the subject of new signings, there is a few new faces at Spurs too, many of whom will be competing for a place in tomorrow’s starting line-up.
Toby Alderweireld, who spent last season with Southampton, represents a good addition at the heart of defence – and should form a good understanding with Belgium colleague Jan Vertonghen. Kevin Wimmer, who was impressive at the centre of a Cologne defence who were so stubborn in the Bundesliga, is also a fantastic signing – although the Austrian may have to wait longer for his chance from the start.
At right-back, Kieran Trippier has arrived – and will challenge Kyle Walker for his place in the starting line-up. Nobody completed more crosses than the ex-Burnley man last season in the Premier League.
A fourth (kind of) new addition is Dele Alli, the youngster joined in January from MK Dons but was immediately loaned back to the now-Championship club. Despite being just 19, Alli is hungry to challenge Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason for their places in the team.
What do we expect tomorrow?
Not too much. It’s the first game of the season and we’re at Old Trafford, we can’t get too ahead of ourselves.
However, bar the 3-0 loss last season, we have been good at Old Trafford of late – both Andre Villas-Boas and Tim Sherwood recorded wins there.
The game being early in the season may be an advantage for us, with United yet to settle into any form. Also, David De Gea, Marcos Rojo and Bastien Schweinsteiger being out is a big advantage – although could potentially lose Hugo Lloris, who is set to undergo a late fitness test, so it’s all swings and roundabouts.
The biggest threat for the hosts will undoubtedly be Wayne Rooney, who always seems to score against Spurs. Always.
However, United will have to be wary of Harry Kane – who is out to prove to everyone that he is not a ‘one season wonder’.
My Starting XI
Vorm; Walker, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Rose; Bentaleb, Mason; Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela; Kane.
