It is back, the Premier League is back, the vagaries are back, the mystique is back, the moment of glory is back, the gut-wrenching moments are back. Football is back!
Manchester United will take on Leicester City in the opening match of Premier League 2017/18 season, and two managers who step out on to the pitch will be determined to make the first move.
It has been a wretched start to the campaign for Manchester United, several players are keen to walk away from the camp, the transfer talks are not quite falling into place and now Jose Mourinho would want to make an impression when the games begin.
United are also grappling with several injury issues, which has not made things easy for Mourinho. However, the Portuguese tactician has clarified that Marcus Rashford will make the starting XI.
Mourinho has reasons to worry
Antonio Valencia and Diogo Dalot are not up to speed, and hence one of Victor Lindelof or Eric Bailly could be asked to step up by Jose Mourinho. Ashley Young, Jesse Lingard, Marouane Fellaini and Paul Pogba have all returned to training after the World Cup exploits, but will most definitely sit out and not make the starting XI.
Marquee signing, Brazilian midfielder Fred is all set for a debut. Also, Andreas Pereira might get a nod after impressing in the pre-season following his loan at Valencia last year.
Leicester look the more relaxed of the two camps and manager Claude Puel looks confident to retain the services of Harry Maguire, who is on the radar of European biggies, including United.
Jonny Evans will be back at Old Trafford where he spent 11 years before moving across to West Brom in 2015. The Leicester defender will face his former club and the rivalry promises to have an extra edge.
Kelechi Iheanacho has been in prolific goal-scoring form in the pre-season games and should start which will allow Jamie Vardy the breathing time on the bench.
Manchester United expected line-up (4-3-3) - De Gea; Lindelof, Bailly, Smalling, Shaw; Fred, Herrera, Pereira; Mata, Sanchez, Rashford.
Leicester expected line-up (4-2-3-1) - Schmeichel; Pereira, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell; Ndidi, Iborra; Diabate, Maddison, Albrighton; Iheanacho
