Man Utd vs Southampton: Debuts for Pogba and Rachel Riley
A new era begins at Old Trafford with the Friday night visit of the Saints and the return of Paul Pogba
It will be an evening of firsts in the Premier League this evening: Jose Mourinho takes charge at Old Trafford for the first time; Paul Pogba (pictured) takes his bow as the world's most expensive footballer, and the Premier League embraces Friday night football.
It is not the first Friday night Premier League match, that came last season because of policing issues, but it will be the first to be given the full Sky Sports treatment. The broadcaster has even roped in Rachel Riley from Countdown to help anchor its coverage.
The choice of Manchester United, arguably the biggest club in the country now led by the most famous manager and featuring the world's most expensive player, is an obvious one.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It offers "intrigue and near-guaranteed drama at the same time EastEnders is starting on BBC1, and it would not come as a surprise if David de Gea beat Danny Dyer in the battle for ratings," says The Guardian.
Friday night games are "great news for armchair supporters", it adds, although Sky probably failed to consider the possibility of a clash with the Team GB women's hockey team who play for gold in the Olympics at 9pm.
Moreover, some fans are uneasy about the new timeslot and there are practical considerations for away fans in particular. "That is certainly the case for some Southampton fans who planned to be at Old Trafford but cannot because their team’s first away trip of the season has been moved forward."
What's more, Mourinho has played down expectations ahead of the game, warning that Pogba may not start and is not fit enough to deliver a “super performance”.
He has only been training for a fortnight following his exertions at Euro 2016 and subsequent transfer saga. Plus, as the Daily Mail says, he is not renowned for "instant miracles".
"Mourinho is likely to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation that saw United get off to a winning start at Bournemouth on Sunday, which would make Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini most vulnerable to being replaced," says the paper. "Henrikh Mkhitaryan will also hope for a full debut at the expense of Juan Mata.
"Whatever the line-up, Mourinho wants a cracking night-time atmosphere at the so-called Theatre of Dreams, which has been relatively quiet in recent seasons as David Moyes and Louis van Gaal have struggled."
Mourinho urged fans to "connect" with the team and the response could say much about the future for him, Pogba and Sky's Friday night football experiment.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 hilariously spirited cartoons about the spirit of Christmas
Cartoons Artists take on excuses, pardons, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Inside the house of Assad
The Explainer Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez, ruled Syria for more than half a century but how did one family achieve and maintain power?
By The Week UK Published
-
Sudoku medium: December 22, 2024
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Kelly Cates to present Match of the Day
Speed Read Sky Sports presenter to take over from Gary Lineker at start of next season
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Will Gary Lineker's departure be an own goal for the BBC?
Today's Big Question Former star striker turned highest-paid presenter will leave Match of the Day after 25 years, with BBC head of sport reportedly declining to offer him a contract
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
WSL takeover: a new era for women's football?
Under the radar Split from governing body comes in wake of record crowds, TV audiences and revenue in the women's game
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated