Manchester: Manchester United will be looking to get on a good start with their reportedly second-string side against Leeds United in their Premier League 2021-22 opener on Saturday. On the same day, Liverpool, who finished third in the previous season, face Norwich City in an away encounter at Carrow Road.
The Manchester United camp has been thoroughly shaken with the news of eight important players set to miss out owing to injuries including the most awaited signing Jadon Sancho and fan favourite Marcus Rashford. Jesse Lingard is also likely to sit out after being tested positive for COVID-19. It would be interesting to see how manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sets up the first XI.
Sancho, who was United’s one of the prolific signings this summer from Borrusia Dortmund, joined the pre-season training this week. However, it is still unknown whether he is fully fit to start. While Rashford is yet to recover from shoulder surgery, Frenchman Rafael Varane hasn’t been unveiled till now.
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On the other hand, Liverpool, who have had a disastrously underwhelming season last time will be bolstered by the return of star defender Virgil Van Djik. The Reds have missed the Dutchman and skipper Jordan Henderson, Joe Gomez alongside Diogo Jota for some part of last season.
With Van Djik returning, Liverpool seem to have found better ways alongside new signing Ibrahim Konate and will be expecting to start their campaign with a win. Chelsea, who won Champions League and Super Cup within a span of three months under new coach Thomas Tuchel, will be gunning for their third silverware on the trot as they start against Crystal Palace.
The former PSG boss has completely transformed the Blues within a short span of time and have reached new heights and confidence. Meanwhile, Brentford or the ‘Bees’, who have been promoted to the top division for the first time in 74 years, will be facing Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in their campaign opener.
The other matches of the day will see Leicester City taking on Wolverhampton Wanderers while Watford face Aston Villa who will be certainly be missing the services of sheer talent Jack Grealish to Manchester City. At the same time, Everton will be playing Southampton at Goodison Park, and at Turf Moor, Burnley face Brighton who have escaped relegation shortly last season
