Manchester United vs Fulham live commentary: The new Premier League season gets underway with kick-off at Old Trafford – kick-off time, team news and talkSPORT coverage

Manchester United host Fulham on Friday night as the new Premier League season gets underway, exclusively live on talkSPORT.

The Red Devils They had a nightmare top-flight campaign last season as they finished eighth in the table, their worst result so far.

He went away Erik the Hag Seemingly on the brink of the sack, winning the FA Cup gave him a lifeline and after signing a new contract, he has the chance to turn things around.

Ten Hag's side was defeated in the Community Shield by Manchester City Heading into this first game, that means a win here is crucial to boost hopes for a better season.

They face each other Fulham who have had an impressive transfer window so far and will want to start with a win as they push for a top-half spot.

Manchester United vs Fulham: Problems for Ten Hag?

Simon Jordan from talkSPORT Ten Hag is expected to be fired before 2025 and insists he is not the right man to tame the “enormous difficult beast” that is Manchester United.

Asked by co-host Jim White if he was serious when he said Ten Hag would be leaving in January, he said: “Of course I was serious.

“They are going to change the landscape and provide more support, and Ratcliffe has said you can't judge a manager if the structure behind him isn't perfect.

“Well, you can Judge the coach by some of the things that come out of his mouth and some of the ridiculous things you have to hear.

“I don't think I have the talent for it.”

He continued: “I think it's a difficult job, he's a capable player at a certain level and I think Manchester United are a hugely difficult beast to tame.

“But that doesn't alter the parameters of what you're there to do.”

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• Manchester United have lost just four of their 34 Premier League meetings with Fulham (W24 D6), but one of those came in their most recent meeting in February when the Cottagers won 2-1 at Old Trafford.
• Following their Premier League victory at Old Trafford last season, Fulham are looking to win back-to-back league visits to Manchester United for the first time. They have faced the team at Old Trafford in their first league game before, losing all three (0-1 in 1950-51, 2-3 in 2001-02 and 1-5 in 2006-07).

Manchester United vs Fulham: team news

United are battling some injury problems ahead of their first Premier League game under a £52m arrival Leny Yoro outside.

Yoro is expected to miss several months following surgery while Rasmus Hojlund It also remains on the sidelines.

Victor Lindelof and Lucas Shaw He played no part in the Community Shield and will be a doubt, but Harry Maguire It is suitable for presentation.

Joshua Zirkzee He could make his debut for the Red Devils and Alejandro Garnacho could start after scoring from the bench at Wembley.

As for Fulham, new star Emile Smith Rowe We will hope to be starters in the first match.

He is likely to play behind Rodrigo Muniz with Andreas PereiraAdama Traore and Alex Iwobi are looking to be in the front line.

In the rear, the new signings Jorge Cuenca and Ryan Sessegnon They are expected to be bench options to start with.

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• Three of the last four Premier League meetings between Manchester United and Fulham have been won by the away side, with each of these victories coming thanks to a 90th-minute winner (Man Utd x2, Fulham x1).
• For the 10th time in the last 11 seasons, Manchester United will begin their Premier League campaign with a home game, which now includes their last eight consecutive seasons. They are the first team in Premier League history to begin a season with a home game in eight consecutive seasons.

Manchester United vs Fulham: What has been said?

United manager Ten Hag wants his players to take the positives from their defeat to City and use the loss as motivation.

Speaking after losing on penalties at Wembley, he said: “We are disappointed.

“We have to feel the pain and everyone feels the pain, that is a good sign but I also see some positive aspects.

“We played well, we could have won this match, we were ahead twice in the match and on penalties, but we lost and we are disappointed.

“But we take the positive.”

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• Fulham won two of their last three Premier League away games last season (D1), as many as they managed in their first 16 on the road in 2023-24 (D5 L9).
• Manchester United have lost their last two Premier League home games against London sides, with Fulham winning 2-1 in February and Arsenal 1-0 in May. London clubs have not won three consecutive visits to Old Trafford since a run of five between December 1985 and September 1986.

Manchester United vs Fulham: talkSPORT coverage

The Premier League opener will take place on Friday 16 August.

Kick-off at Old Trafford is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

talkSPORT will have EXCLUSIVE live coverage of the game presented by Adrian Durham.

Comments will come from Sam Matterfaceformer captain of the Republic of Ireland Andy Townsend and former captain of Manchester United Steve Bruce.

talkSPORT 2 will have live coverage of all the action throughout the tournament.

To tune into talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 via the website, click HERE for the live stream.

talkSPORT.com will also be broadcasting a live blog of all the action.

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League as well.