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What's that you say? The Premier League is back? Yes, yes it is and isn't it glorious? And it kicks off with a humdinger as Manchester United host Leicester City. After a frustrating Transfer Window for Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese turns his focus to on-field action. The club were only able to bring in two outfield players in the summer and his pain is compounded by the large number of players on the injured list. Having finally lost Riyad Mahrez, Leicester have their own problems. Claude Puel is feeling the pressure after losing five of their last seven Premier League games and desperately needs his side to make a bright start to the campaign. This tie sounds enthralling, doesn't it? It will be - kick-off is set for 8pm.

Premier League / Matchday 1
Old Trafford / 10.08.2018
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The Editorial Team

Updated 10/08/2018 at 21:14 GMT


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3'
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GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Leicester
And we have lift-off! It's coolness personified as Pogba steps up and lifts the ball into the top right corner. Schmeichel goes the right way but cannot get near it.
2'
PENALTY TO UNITED!
After just 75 seconds, we have our first moment of drama in the Premier League! Amartey is adjudged to have blocked Sanchez's shot with his arm and the referee Andre Marriner points to the spot.
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United seem to be operating in a 4-3-3 system, if the early signs are anything to go by.
1st Half
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KICK-OFF!
We are underway at Old Trafford.
19:55
The warm-ups are completed, the team talks are over - it's almost time for kick-off. The Premier League is back and all the action is coming up next, and it's LIVE!
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Not long until kick-off - excited yet?
19:50
All eyes on Maguire tonight. The centre-back starts for the Foxes having participated in just four training sessions.
19:45
United's starting XI appears to have gone down well on Twitter, with most supporters praising Mourinho for adopting a fresh look to this team. Pogba will, presumably, be operating in a position higher up the pitch while there is genuine excitement about the qualities of Pereira. And of course everyone is keen to see how Fred performs on his debut having shown glimpses of his quality in pre-season.
19:40
Jose Mourinho has also never lost on the opening day of a Premier League campaign, winning eight and drawing one.
19:35
Mourinho simply couldn't hide his frustration that the club couldn't attract a centre-back during the transfer window. Godin and Boateng were heavily linked, while Maguire was the name hot on the lips of most United fans and was the player most likely to join. In the end they couldn't get a deal over the line, so Mourinho has to work with what he's got.
Up step Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof - two defenders Mourinho signed. Can they form the reliable and sturdy centre-back partnership United so crucially need? They have their first opportunity this evening.
19:30
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DID YOU KNOW?
Leicester have won only three of their 44 top-flight away matches against Manchester United. Their only Premier League victory at Old Trafford came in February 1998 when Tony Cottee scored the solitary goal.
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19:25
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has been praising Mourinho for giving Pogba the responsibility of the captain's armband.
"I think it's a good move," said Neville. "What Jose will have seen in the summer was Pogba in the France dressing room, demanding more from the players. He seemed to be a leader."
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19:20
Interestingly enough, most bookies have Claude Puel as the favourite to be sacked first this campaign, followed by Mourinho.
"We lost Riyad Mahrez, who was a very valuable player for us, so it was important to keep our best players and have good additions to the squad," said Puel.
"We have to prepare for this season with good possibilities."
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Image credit: PA Sport

19:15
Mourinho has lamented the lack of signings this week but now he says it's down to the 'serious stuff''.
"It's not anymore about friendlies, it's not anymore about preparation, it's about points.
"Any point can be crucial - you don't know what is going to happen at the end of the season. You have to try your best to get points and even with the difficulties that we had with our pre-season, now I don't think is the time to be speaking about that.
"It's time just to say 'tomorrow we have a Premier League match' and we have to play to win it."
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Image credit: PA Sport

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19:10
Manchester United target Harry Maguire starts in defence for Leicester. New signings Ricardo Pereira and James Maddison also feature, but Jonny Evans and Jamie Vardy are named amongst the substitutes.