It's been an incredibly difficult year or so for everyone but tomorrow - in a footballing sense - the light at the end of the tunnel is seemingly reached. For the first time in seventeen months, Old Trafford welcomes back a full house as the Premier League season commences. It's not a bad game for the return of full capacity either, with fans able to witness the historic United-Leeds rivalry for the first time since January 2010 (February 2004 was the last time in the league). Though the whites returned to the top flight for last season, the rivalry admittedly will only feel completely restored now fans are back present. It's going to be some spectacle!
It's a lunchtime fixture to get proceedings underway tomorrow, with kick off at half past midday (UK time). Commencing early in the afternoon last Saturday, United emphatically overcame Everton 4-0 to conclude pre-season in the right manner - hopefully that can prove a good omen for things to come!
The reds will be hoping the backing of 75,000 returning fans can help to transform some of the Old Trafford woes experienced last season, with six losses suffered at the Theatre of Dreams in the league last term. Regardless, it was still a respectable second place finish; improve at home and maintain the bulletproof away form, then who knows what heights may be reached between now and May.
It definitely wouldn't be far-fetched to expect Ole to start with the eleven that he fielded for the first half against Everton tomorrow, given the lack of rust shown from those players to produce a rather phenomenal display last weekend. If he was to deploy that side, it would mean a first competitive appearance for Anthony Martial since March; Solskjaer said in his press conference that the Frenchman is very much within his plans despite rumours circulating around a potential exit. Edinson Cavani is back in the country, but is isolating and unavailable after an extended break which was allegedly granted during contract negotiations (he was supposedly back home after the Copa America seeing friends and family which he may not have seen in up to two years).
In terms of the new additions, it's differing fortunes. Raphael Varane is yet to fully complete his move to United despite reportedly having completed his medical, with the centre back without any training with the squad thus far. It's more positive with Jadon Sancho, however: the 21 year-old will be involved against Leeds (according to the boss), though he's slightly behind in terms of training after a delayed return from his break due to illness. It seems unlikely that the latter will start despite being "sharp" in training, though it's definitely possible that we could see him introduced from the bench at some point.
Elsewhere, Anthony Elanga could be a doubt following an impressive pre-season after he was absent against Everton with a minor knock. Alex Telles and Marcus Rashford are definitely out of contention, with the latter having successfully undergone his planned shoulder procedure last Friday. Jesse Lingard missed the closing pre-season match having tested positive for Covid-19, whilst Dean Henderson is still recovering to full fitness after a positive test last month. Therefore, it looks almost certain David de Gea will start the season between the sticks.
Leeds were said to have "several fitness concerns", though it's looking more promising on the eve of the season opener. Junior Firpo - who signed from Barcelona this summer - has passed a fitness test following a minor issue, whilst Jamie Shackleton has also been cleared for involvement. Spaniard Diego Llorente seems a definite absentee.
The Yorkshire side had six preparation matches, including a spell of four games in five days to close out July - the perfect opportunity to ensure everybody has sufficient gametime. Of that spell, the only win came in their opener against sixth tier Guiseley where a very youthful side was fielded. A draw to Blackburn followed, with losses against Fleetwood and Real Betis completing the month. Heading into August, it didn't get much better results-wise: Bielsa's side lost by a hefty four goal margin against Ajax, though ended their run of defeats by drawing with Europa League winners Villarreal last weekend. Only one win and three losses in six matches doesn't make good reading for Leeds fans, but results are relatively irrelevant in pre-season.
A healthy 59 points last season saw Leeds become the second best newly-promoted side in Premier League history (in the points respect), seven points shy of Ipswich's record 2000/01 tally. Ultimately it was a ninth-place finish, with many now tipping them for another top half finish this time around. In fact - in the final ten matches of last season - only Liverpool (26) accumulated more points than Leeds (23).
Nobody will need reminding of United's success against their historic rivals last season, with a 6-2 annihilation of Leeds at Old Trafford back in December marking the resumption of the classic rivalry. It started with a flurry, as Scott McTominay converted the Premier League's fastest ever brace inside the opening three minutes. A whopping 42 shots were clocked on that occasion, the most in a Premier League match during the campaign. Unfortunately, the April meeting at Elland Road was a dull 0-0 stalemate. I know which one I'd favour tomorrow!
Leeds are now 16 league matches winless against United away from home, with their last victory in the top-flight at Old Trafford coming back in February 1981. Fail to win tomorrow, and the visitors will confirm their longest ever top-flight winless away run against a single opposition.
It's essential that United mark tomorrow's landmark occasion with a win - a good start is integral if we are to put up a title fight this coming year. We cannot afford to fall behind from the off.
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