Louis van Gaal's Manchester United reign begins in earnest on Saturday in the Red Devils' Premier League season opener against Swansea at Old Trafford.
After what has seemed like a long few weeks after the climax of the World Cup, the Dutch supremo finally gets to taste competitive action, with an expectant crowd hoping for a positive start to his tenure.
A new formation could be in the offing, with van Gaal expected to field a 3-5-2 or 3-4-1-2 system after deploying such tactics during the club’s pre-season tour of the US.
One beneficiary of such a switch could be Juan Mata, who is likely to be used more centrally. The Spain star notched six goals in 15 league appearances for United last season, compared to zero in 13 for Chelsea earlier in the campaign.
This encounter is a repeat of both of these sides' opening-day clash last season, with David Moyes’ reign getting off to an impressive start thanks to two goals apiece from Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck in a 4-1 win for the then champions at the Liberty Stadium.
Opta facts
- Manchester United have never lost on the opening weekend at Old Trafford in the Premier League (W8 D3).
- Wayne Rooney currently has 173 Premier League goals and needs two more to draw level with the third top scoring player in PL history (Thierry Henry – 175).
- Manchester United’s points total of 64 last season was their lowest since 1990-91.
- Swansea have won exactly 11 games in each of their last two Premier League campaigns.
Garry Monk’s men will be hoping to spoil van Gaal's coronation this time around, despite losing some key men over the summer.
Michel Vorm, Michu and Ben Davies have all been pivotal to the Swans establishing themselves as a top-flight outfit, but after the trio departed for pastures new - along with Spanish duo Chico and Pablo Hernandez - Monk must ensure his new-look side are competitive at Old Trafford.
Swansea’s three previous matches on the opening weekend of the Premier League season have produced 14 goals, and a repeat would ensure excitement for all concerned on Saturday.
New United signing Luke Shaw will miss out on Saturday after picking up a hamstring injury which could keep him out for up to a month.
Shaw: Must wait for debut
Michael Carrick is also set to be sidelined for a substantial period with a foot injury, while Anderson, Rafael and Antonio Valencia will all not feature.
Jonny Evans, van Persie and Welbeck will be assessed before the match, but could miss out.
Swansea welcome back Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routledge. Both wingers missed the Swans' final pre-season game at home to Villarreal last week - Routledge had a foot injury, while Dyer was attending the birth of his son.
But Monk is without knee-injury victims Leon Britton, Marvin Emnes and Jay Fulton for the trip to Old Trafford.
Paul Merson's prediction
I think this is a great first game for Louis van Gaal because I think Swansea might struggle this season. Michu has gone and it doesn’t look like Jonathan de Guzman will be there much longer and those have been big players for them in recent years. I don’t know where they’re going.
I think Man United are a certainty to win this game and I think they will have a much better season. Van Gaal will have a big advantage because he’ll only be playing one game a week.
Paul predicts: 3-0
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