Manchester United make instant history against Fulham in their first Premier League game of the season

Manchester United have already set a Premier League record and the players didn't have to lift a finger… they just stepped onto the pitch.

Their home game on the opening day of the 2024/25 season means that of the last 11 Premier League seasons, United I started with ten at Old Trafford.

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In fact, their last eight season-opening games have all been played at home and this means they are the first team in Premier League history to start a season with a home game in eight consecutive seasons.

And with Erik the HagChelsea are desperate to improve on last season's poor form, and a home game could be exactly what they need to gain momentum.

Fulham are the opponents to start the new campaign, and the good news for United is that of the previous seven consecutive opening home games they have lost only two: a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in 2020 and a 2-1 loss to Brighton in 2022.

However, Ten Hag's men will have to overcome the demons of last season, when the Cottagers won 2-1 the last time they visited the Theatre of Dreams.

It was a massive result for Fulham, especially as it had come as a result of a stoppage-time goal, and ultimately marked the Red Devils' first defeat of 2024.

It was also only the fourth time that United, who are looking to improve on last season's eighth-place finish, have lost to Fulham in their 34 Premier League games.

Ten Hag's team has not arrived at this season opener in the best possible way.

Their hopes of getting the new campaign off to a good start took a blow when they lost to their local rivals. Manchester City in the Community Shield clash at Wembley.

And surprisingly, Jadon Sancho, who missed the penalty shoot-out last weekend, has been… excluded from the squad, despite an impressive preseason on his return to the club.

Although summer signing Noussair Mazraoui has made his United debut following his move from Bayern Munich.

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Although his former Bayern teammate Matthijs de Ligtwho has joined United in a deal worth £43m, has had to settle for a place on the bench.

But the Dutch centre-back has revealed he can't wait to begin his new adventure in England.

Talking to the club websiteHe said: “There is a lot of history in this club.

“I grew up with the team Cristiano RonaldoVidic, Fernando, Wayne RooneyPaul Scholes… Edwin van der Sar, the Dutchman. There is so much history.

“I'm talking about 20 years ago, but even more so when they won the Champions League (in 1999), the treble… It's a very big, historic club. You can already feel it, it's in the air here… you can breathe history.

“It's an incredible challenge to now have this opportunity in England, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, in the most important competition in the world. I'm motivated by these new challenges, I like being challenged.

“To have this opportunity and play for this club at this level, and help them win trophies, is incredible.

“Hopefully I can be part of the next Manchester United story.”

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