Premier League: Man Utd vs. Leicester City team news and TV details
Harry Maguire will be at Old Trafford for the season opener - but wearing blue
Manchester United vs. Leicester City
- When: Friday 10 August
- Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
- Kick-off time: 8pm
- TV channel: live on Sky Sports
Harry Maguire will be wearing blue not red when the new Premier League season kicks off on Friday evening at Old Trafford.
After impressing at the World Cup this summer with England, the Leicester City defender had been tipped to sign for Manchester United, the Foxes’ opponents in the first league match of the season.
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However, despite reported bids by United, a deal failed to materialise before the close of the transfer window on Thursday and Maguire could line up against the Red Devils instead of alongside them.
Before the transfer deadline, Leicester boss Claude Puel was asked if Maguire could sign for United, to which he replied: “I can confirm he is going to Manchester but only for a couple of hours on Friday night [for the match].
“I am happy to keep Harry of course and all our best players. I want to keep all our best players for this season to keep a good ambition. We lost Riyad [Mahrez to Manchester City], he was a valuable player for us, but was important to keep all our best players and have good additions for the squad.
“Harry came back with a smile. I’m happy with his attitude in general, he has good mentality and good spirit. It was important for him to remain with us and keep strong momentum for this season. I am happy to keep him.”
United failed to sign anyone on deadline day - their only arrivals this summer were midfielder Fred, full-back Diogo Dalot and back-up keeper Lee Grant.
Despite the disappointing transfer window United boss Jose Mourinho is keen to get the season under way. He told the BBC: “Now it’s serious stuff. It’s not any more about friendlies, it’s not any more 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 ‘we have a Premier League match’ and we have to play to win it.”
Team news
Metro reports that Mourinho will be without Dalot, Nemanja Matic, Sergio Romero, Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia and Ander Herrera because of injury. However, new signing Fred is expected to make his United debut.
Leicester boss Puel will have to decide if Maguire and England teammate Jamie Vardy are ready to start against United. The duo only returned to training this week and the Leicester Mercury reports that while Puel is happy with their mental condition, it depends on how they are physically.
“We will see [if they are in the squad],” said Puel. “Harry and Jamie are ready in their minds, but after I don’t know if they’re ready in their body.”
Summer signing Jonny Evans is an injury doubt after picking up a knock in pre-season. He did, however, return to training this week.
Fellow new signing James Maddison is fit to play while winger Demarai Gray is back in training. The Foxes will be without midfielders Papy Mendy and Matty James, says the Mercury.
How to watch Man Utd vs. Leicester City
The opening match of the Premier League season will be live on Sky Sports. Coverage starts at 7pm and the match kicks off at 8pm.
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