Premier League Season Kicks Off with United vs Fulham

Manchester United will host Fulham in the opening match of the 2024/25 Premier League season at Old Trafford, with kick-off scheduled for 8 PM BST. Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players are gearing up for the new season, with a deadline for team changes set at 6:30 PM BST. Players must finalize their squads before this cut-off to earn points from the match, as any changes made after the deadline will not count for the first gameweek. Manager Erik ten Hag has acknowledged that his team is not fully prepared for the season opener, citing the late return of players involved in international tournaments. Despite this, he has confirmed that new signings Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui will be included in the squad. Ten Hag emphasized the importance of focusing on available players, as injuries have left the squad short, particularly in defense. Fulham, under Marco Silva, aims to build on last season's mid-table finish, having made several key signings, including Emile Smith Rowe and Jorge Cuenca. The team hopes to surprise opponents, especially after their previous victory against United at Old Trafford last season. However, they face challenges with the departures of key defenders and the potential loss of midfielder Joao Palhinha. As the Premier League returns, both teams are eager to start the season on a high note, with United looking to improve on last season's eighth-place finish and Fulham aiming to solidify their position in the top tier.