England» Premier League ( WON )

Jose Mourinho has real problems ahead of Manchester United’s season opener against Leicester on Friday due to injuries and players returning late from the 2018 World Cup.Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic have both been ruled, meaning Scott McTominay could get a start in midfield. Andreas Pereira was one of very few positive points for United during pre-season and he will also feature from the off.Eric Bailly, like Herrera, picked up an injury in their final pre-season match but, unlike Herrera, appears to have recovered in time to feature.Marcus Rashford cut short his post-World Cup holiday and is expected to lead the line for United.Leicester manager Claude Puel has confirmed Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire will not start against Manchester United on Friday.Summer signing James Maddison picked up an injury in pre-season and is a doubt ahead of their trip to Old Trafford.Former United defender Jonny Evans will line up against his former club if he recovers from injury in time, while fellow summer arrival Ricardo Pereira is also expected to start.

• Manchester United endured a rotten pre-season and Jose Mourinho has conceded he is already expecting the worst on Friday. However, Mourinho is unbeaten in nine opening-weekend matches, winning eight times in that time.
• Leicester only won two of their five pre-season matches and Claude Puel will more than likely not be able to field his best XI at Old Trafford. The Foxes have only won one of their last 20 matches against the Red Devils and haven’t won at Old Trafford since January 1998.
• Claude Puel’s side won’t get many better chances to beat United than Friday. They are short of players and confidence heading into the opening weekend, while Mourinho has done little to help the mood around the team. Nevertheless, the history books are stacked against the away side and a scrappy home win looks most likely.