Match preview: United v Wolves

Our 2023/24 top-flight campaign starts with the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers to Old Trafford and kick-off is set for 20:00 BST.

It’s the moment we’ve been waiting all summer for and hopes are high as Erik ten Hag and his side look to build on a positive term in 2022/23.

United finished third last season, securing a Champions League spot, and also won the Carabao Cup.

Before it all gets going again at the Theatre of Dreams, read our in-depth preview prior to the meeting with Wolves...

HOW CAN YOU FOLLOW THE GAME?

Monday's match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.

Our Match Day Live show will commence at 18:55 BST on MUTV and will include exclusive build-up before the 20:00 BST kick-off, as well as post-match reaction.

Further must-see content will also be available on ManUtd.com and in the United App, with radio commentary available throughout the 90 minutes.

WHEN CAN YOU SEE HIGHLIGHTS?

Two-minute highlights of the game will be available two hours from the final whistle, with 90 in 20 and Full 90 versions published soon after.

WHAT’S THE TEAM NEWS?

United’s new striker signing Rasmus Hojlund has been recovering from a minor injury, which is expected to delay his debut by a few weeks.

The 20-year-old Dane was pictured training with a coach at the beginning of Wednesday’s session, as he continues with his individual recovery routine.

Anthony Martial has returned to full training following injury, while Fred is set to move to Fenerbahce on a permanent transfer. 

Tyrell Malacia was also absent from the trip to the United States, due to injury, while Amad and Kobbie Mainoo will, unfortunately, miss the first part of the season following the issues they picked up on the other side of the Atlantic.

ARE THERE ANY NEW FACES?

Hojlund is United’s third addition of the summer, following our successful moves for Mason Mount and Andre Onana. Both players have already had plenty of time on the pitch in pre-season and will be chomping at the bit to make their competitive debuts for the Reds.

Wolves have had a quiet summer on the transfer front in terms of first-team additions, although full-back Matt Doherty has returned to Molineux, three years after leaving for Tottenham. The Republic of Ireland international made two appearances for Atletico Madrid during a short spell in the Spanish capital earlier this year. Matheus Cunha and Boubacar Traore have made their loan deals permanent, but most of the business in the Black Country has involved outgoings.

Conor Coady (Leicester City), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Raul Jimenez (Fulham) and Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal) have all departed for pastures new, while Diego Costa and Joao Moutinho are free agents following the expiry of their contracts.

WHO’S THE MANAGER?

The answer to this question prior to Tuesday would have been Julen Lopetegui, who took Wolves from bottom of the table to a comfortable 13th-placed finish after replacing Bruno Lage in November. However, the Spaniard has now departed, with the club citing ‘differences of opinion on some key topics’ and Gary O’Neil was named as his replacement, five days prior to the season’s opening fixture.

O’Neil, who made over 200 appearances in the Premier League during a lengthy career with the likes of Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and West Ham United, kept Bournemouth in the top flight last season, although the Cherries did lose both meetings with United – 3-0 at Old Trafford and 1-0 on the south coast in May.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON?

The Reds emerged victorious from both clashes with Wolves in 2022/23, keeping two clean sheets in the process.

Marcus Rashford was the matchwinner at Molineux on New Year’s Day, as our no.10 came off the bench to score the only goal, while strikes from Anthony Martial and Alejandro Garnacho settled the Old Trafford return in May.

WHAT ARE THE OTHER FIXTURES?

The first matchday of the Premier League campaign is spread across four days, with the full schedule coming together as follows…

FRIDAY 11 AUGUST

Burnley v Manchester City (20:00 BST)

SATURDAY 12 AUGUST

Arsenal v Nottingham Forest (12:30 BST)
Bournemouth v West Ham
Brighton v Luton
Everton v Fulham
Sheffield United v Crystal Palace
Newcastle v Aston Villa (17:30 BST)

SUNDAY 13 AUGUST

Brentford v Tottenham (14:00 BST)
Chelsea v Liverpool (16:30 BST)

MONDAY 14 AUGUST

UNITED v Wolves (20:00 BST)

Kick-offs 15:00 BST unless stated.