Manchester United's 2021/2022 Premier League season begins this weekend with a difficult match against Leeds United.

The red devils finished second in the EPL last season and will be aiming to go one further to win the title this season. Leeds will be looking to consolidate on last season's impressive top half finish and a good first step to achieving this would be to take some points off United in the opening game.

Team news

Manchester United

Jadon Sancho could make his debut for United against Leeds but fellow new signing, Raphael Varane, isn't going to feature as the club is yet to confirm his signing. David De Gea is set to start in place of the injured Dean Henderson while Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Alex Telles are some of the others ruled out due to injury. The match may come too soon for Edison Cavani while Eric Bailly's participation in the Olympics means he is all but ruled out.

Leeds United

Diego Llorente is the major player ruled for Leeds as Marcelo Bielsa will need to assess the fitness of some other players ahead of the game. New signing, Junior Firpo will be eyeing his debut for the club against the red devils.

Major signings

Manchester United

Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Tom Heaton (Aston Villa)

Leeds United

Jack Harrison (Manchester City), Junior Firpo (Barcelona), Lewis Bate (Chelsea)

Pre-season record

Manchester United

WLDW

Leeds United

WDLLLD

Players to watch

Manchester United: Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes has been Manchester United's star player since he joined the Old Trafford club. The Portuguese midfielder scored an excellent free-kick in United's last friendly match against Everton. The Leeds United defenders would do well to pay attention to his potential threat.

**Bruno Fernandes

Leeds United: Patrick Bamford

Patrick Bamford scored quite a lot of goals for Leeds United last season and will be looking to pick it up from where he stopped. Bielsa will unleash his star striker who scored in the club's last friendly game against Villarreal to do some damage at Old Trafford.

**Predicted lineup

Predicted lineups

Manchester United

David De Gea is set to start in goal as Dean Henderson remains out. Sancho could feature in the game and if he does, it is unclear whether he will start the game or come off the bench. Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire are among the big players also set to start.

Leeds United

Junior Firpo could make his debut for Leeds after completing his move from Barcelona. Kalvin Phillips is expected to start, after his Euro campaign while star striker, Patrick Bamford will lead Marcelo Bielsa's men charge from the front.

Score prediction

Manchester United 2-2 Leeds United

Any game involving Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds is rarely void of entertainment. The fans will be expecting to see goals, possibly from both teams. The prediction is that both teams share the spoils at the end of the game.

Date: Saturday, 14th August, 2021

Venue: Old Trafford

Time: 12:30pm

Referee: Paul Tierney