Manchester United will hope to pick up where they left off when they get their new Premier League campaign under way against Crystal Palace on Saturday – live on talkSPORT.
While most top-flight sides began the 2020/21 season last weekend, United and Man City were given an extra week of rest due to their exploits in Europe.
United beat Tottenham and Madrid to Van de Beek’s signature
United’s last competitive match saw them crash out of the Europa League to Sevilla in the semi-finals, although that was a rare blip for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men post-lockdown.
Their fine domestic form, spearheaded by the emergence of Bruno Fernandes and Mason Greenwood, saw them finish last term in third position.
Had they started the season in the same vein, Solskjaer’s men might’ve given Liverpool a run for their money.
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The so-far unsuccessful pursuit of Jadon Sancho has dominated this summer’s headlines, although there have been some new arrivals at Old Trafford.
Man United won the race for Donny van de Beek from Ajax, while goalkeeper Dean Henderson will feel like a new signing following his return from a two-year loan at Sheffield United.
Will De Gea keep his place?
Man United team news
Donny van de Beek is in line to make his Manchester United debut in their Premier League season opener against Crystal Palace.
The Netherlands international – the only summer signing to date – will play a role on Saturday evening, when manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Paul Pogba (coronavirus) and Luke Shaw (ankle) will be available.
Phil Jones (knee), Axel Tuanzebe (foot) and Sergio Romero (extended holiday) are unavailable for Solskjaer, who refused to confirm whether Henderson or David De Gea would start in goal.
How Man United could line up
Crystal Palace team news
Eagles boss Roy Hodgson is set to keep faith with the team which earned an opening-day victory over Southampton.
Palace made 10 changes for the midweek Carabao Cup clash at Bournemouth, with only Jeffrey Schlupp starting from the weekend win, as they looked to avoid any more injuries.
Palace remain without Nathan Ferguson (knee), Gary Cahill, James Tomkins (both hamstring) and Patrick Van Aanholt (shoulder), but Mamadou Sakho, Jairo Riedewald, Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham have returned to fitness although are not deemed match-fit.
How Crystal Palace could line up
Man United vs Crystal Palace at 5.30pm is one of our three live GameDay commentaries this Saturday!