Manchester United 2021/22 season kick-off: where to watch the action, key players and transfer latest

Manchester United’s 2021/22 season gets under way this weekend when the Red Devils host old foes Leeds United.

It’s the first time in over 17 years United supporters have seen their side face Leeds at Old Trafford in the Premier League, while the Theatre of Dreams is anticipating a sell-out crowd for the first time since the outbreak of Covid-19.

After an exciting summer in the transfer market, expectation has never weighed heavier on the shoulders of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is aiming to lift a first league title at the club since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Who do Manchester United play first and where can you watch it?

The Red Devils’ opener kicks-off on Saturday 14 August at 12.30pm and will be broadcast live in the UK on BT Sport 1 & Ultimate.

United’s will be the second match of the ‘21/22 Premier League, with Brentford’s maiden outing in the Premier League against Arsenal getting the season up and running on Friday night.

United memorably beat Leeds 6-2 at home last season, although not since 2004 have the pair locked horns in front of a top-flight crowd. On that occasion, Paul Scholes netted for the Red Devils in a 1-1 draw, while his soon-to-be team-mate Alan Smith bagged the equaliser.

After Leeds, United then face Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers before the end of the month, in what is relatively kind start for Solskjaer’s men. In fact, United don’t face any of last season’s top five in their opening seven matches.

What sort of pre-season form did United show?

It’s been a mixed bag for Solskjaer’s men in their four friendly matches this summer, which began when a youthful United side beat Derby County 2-1 on 18 July.

However, the Red Devils were stunned six days later when Queens Park Rangers emerged victorious by a 4-2 scoreline, before they drew 2-2 with newly promoted Brentford, a game in which Andreas Pereira scored an absolute screamer from outside the box.

United were then due to play Preston North End, but the encounter had to be cancelled after a Covid-19 scare.

Last season’s Premier League runners-up finished pre-season with their most impressive display, as they defeated Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday 7 August.

Who have Manchester United signed this season?

United made their move early in the market and wrapped up two sensational signings within weeks of Euro 2020’s culmination.

England international Jadon Sancho’s much-talked about move from Borussia Dortmund was finally completed for a fee believed to be around £73m.

The winger was quickly followed by four-time Champions League winner Raphael Varane, although the Frenchman is yet to be officially unveiled as a United signing.

Tom Heaton is the only other first-team addition to date. The former United academy graduate rejoined the club from Aston Villa, where he had spent the last two seasons.

Which other United players could be key in 2020-21?

Bruno Fernandes’s form dipped in the latter part of last season, but the Portuguese midfielder will be instrumental to any success United have this term. In 2020/21, he registered 18 goals and 12 assists in the league and started pre-season impressively when he netted an immaculate free-kick against Everton last Saturday.

With Marcus Rashford set to miss the beginning of the new campaign, there has never been more pressure on Mason Greenwood to hit the ground running. The attacker, who missed this summer’s Euros through injury, netted six in his last eight matches of ‘20/21 and, following Sancho’s arrival, could find himself playing more in the central positions this term.

Even with the addition of Varane, United are going to need centre-back Harry Maguire at his absolute best if they hope to mount a serious title challenge.

How’s the squad shaping up?

With several key first-teamers reporting back late to pre-season after their involvement in international tournaments this summer, the Red Devils’ squad has had a youthful look to it in their warm-up games.

It’s also been bolstered by the additions of Diogo Dalot, Jesse Lingrad and Pereira after respective loans last season.

Yet, the return of senior players in the last two weeks has cast doubt on Solskjaer’s selection for the opener against Leeds, with the likes of Maguire, Luke Shaw, Fernandes and Anthony Martial still lacking minutes in pre-season friendlies.

Another unresolved issue centres on who will start between the sticks. With Dean Henderson still recovering from the after affects of Covid-19, David De Gea will likely start the Premier League opener, but which of the pair holds down that position long-term seems very much up in the air.

Who might Manchester United sign next?

The Red Devils have been linked with another midfielder and the likes of Leon Goretzka, Saul Niguez and Ruben Neves have all been touted as possible additions in the centre of the park.

Kieran Trippier was reportedly a target for Solskjaer earlier this summer, but The Athletic now claim a move for the Atletico Madrid full-back is unlikely.

While incomings remain uncertain, it seems likely there will be a few departures in the coming weeks. De Gea, Phil Jones, Pogba, Lingard, Pereira and Daniel James have all been mentioned as possible outgoings, for fees which could be reinvested on another first-team addition.