Manchester United endured a rotten pre-season and Jose Mourinho has conceded he is already expecting the worst on Friday. However, Mourinho is unbeaten in nine opening-weekend matches, winning eight times in that time. Leicester only won two of their five pre-season matches and Claude Puel will more than likely not be able to field his best XI at Old Trafford. The Foxes have only won one of their last 20 matches against the Red Devils and haven't won at Old Trafford since January 1998. Claude Puel's side won't get many better chances to beat United than Friday. They are short of players and confidence heading into the opening weekend, while Mourinho has done little to help the mood around the team. Nevertheless, the history books are stacked against the away side and a scrappy home win looks most likely.
Not bad opener for a new season of Premier League. Though Man United and their fans are going to suffer in this season, Mourinho was asking for at least 4 players, one of them should be a decent central defender and what he gets? Nothing. Man United has a serious problems with players at that moment because a lot of key players weren't on preseason tournament. I don't see an easy win for United in this match and I don't understand why they are heavy favorites. I see huge value in my bet and recommend you to risk a bit and bet on 2 or x in this one. Also I think that Vardy will score.
The atmosphere at Old Trafford will be interesting, because Manchester United have not had the greatest pre-season.
But does that matter if you win your first game? I would suggest not, and I do think United will start with a victory.
Jose Mourinho did not get the new centre-half he wanted, because Harry Maguire will be playing in this game in a Leicester shirt.
Even so, when I look at their squad, United are basically nailed on to finish in the top three. They might not have become a better team since last season, when they were runners-up, but they have not become a bad one either.
The only concern I would have is if Paul Pogba is genuinely unhappy at the club, amid the rumours that his agent has been touting him to the likes of Barcelona and Juventus.
That situation becomes a problem for Mourinho if he has a great player who is a World Cup winner, but cannot find him a role in his team that makes him happy playing for United.
Leicester have been more active in the transfer market but I was surprised they did not do more to bolster their attack over the summer, because they rely so heavily on Jamie Vardy.
The Foxes lost five of their last seven games last season and the first few weeks of this campaign are going to be crucial for their manager Claude Puel because, if they start poorly, he will be under pressure again.
This will be a good game. Pressure is on at United after not a great pre-season. This should be perfect for Leicester as United will have a go and they can be caught on the counter-attack, but they'll miss Riyad Mahrez. I just think Mourinho will find a way to get off to a winning start.
MUFC kick off the season with plenty of bad press, the transfer activity hasn't gone their way or maybe it has gone exactly how they wanted. Absentees are sort of covered, most absentees are the defenders but plenty of attacking options for Jose. They would want to lead the table. A win for MUFC, 2-1,2-0 OR 3-2
Manchester United endured a rotten pre-season and Jose Mourinho has conceded he is already expecting the worst on Friday. However, Mourinho is unbeaten in nine opening-weekend matches, winning eight times in that time.
Leicester only won two of their five pre-season matches and Claude Puel will more than likely not be able to field his best XI at Old Trafford. The Foxes have only won one of their last 20 matches against the Red Devils and haven't won at Old Trafford since January 1998.
Claude Puel's side won't get many better chances to beat United than Friday. They are short of players and confidence heading into the opening weekend, while Mourinho has done little to help the mood around the team. Nevertheless, the history books are stacked against the away side and a scrappy home win looks most likely.