manchesterunited vs tottenham hotspur match preview

Louis van Gaal does not wish to suffer a repeat of last season’s opening day defeat to Swansea City at Old Trafford yet he enters this match with unwanted headaches. David de Gea will not play because he is distracted by Real Madrid’s interest and to replace his No1 the manager has only the untested Sam Johnstone or Sergio Romero. Bastian Schweinsteiger, his headline central midfield summer signing, is not match-fit and, if Wayne Rooney was to suffer injury, Van Gaal has only Javier Hernández or James Wilson to replace his central striker. Given the £230m investment the manager has overseen in his 12 months in charge United should still defeat Tottenham. Jamie Jackson

Kick-off Saturday 12.45pm

Venue Old Trafford

Last season Manchester United 3 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Live BT Sport 1

Referee Jonathan Moss

Last season G30, Y114, R8, 4.33 cards per game

Odds H 4-7 A 5-1 D 3-1

Manchester United
Subs from Lindegaard, Romero, Jones, Evans, Januzaj, Herrera, Valencia, McNair, Hernández, Blackett, Pereira

Doubtful Hernández (match fitness), Lindegaard (groin)

Injured Rojo, Schweinsteiger (both match fitness, 14 Aug), De Gea, Valdés (both personal, unknown)

Suspended Fellaini (first of three)

Discipline (last season) Y66 R5

Top scorer (last season) Rooney 12

Tottenham Hotspur
Subs from McGee, Vorm, Mason, Soldado, Lamela, Yedlin, Trippier, Townsend, Alli, Fazio, Pritchard, Winks, Carroll, Wimmer, Davies, Lennon

Doubtful Lloris (wrist), Soldado (back), Townsend (shoulder)

Injured None

Suspended None

Discipline Y80 R4

Leading scorer Kane 21