New things to look out for in 2023/24

While Burnley face Manchester City tonight (Friday), we have to wait until Monday night to get under way, with Wolverhampton Wanderers coming to Old Trafford for a 20:00 BST kick-off.

Erik ten Hag is looking forward to his second campaign in charge, with the Reds looking to build on the third-placed finish and Carabao Cup success last time out.

As anticipation builds for what is in store over the next nine months, below is a guide to some changes and details to consider.

A shirt for any occasion - United's 2023/24 third kit is available to buy now!

MORE SAFE STANDING

Some extra 2,100 supporters will have the option of safe standing at Old Trafford, with the new rail seats installed in the south-west quadrant of our famous stadium. After successful trials, it is anticipated this will lead to an even more vocal atmosphere at the Theatre of Dreams, as Erik ten Hag's side look to continue an impressive run of home form from his maiden term in charge.

TIME-KEEPING CHANGES

As has gained a lot of coverage since the start of the EFL action, there is a drive from IFAB (International Football Association Board) to ensure more effective playing time. This is not necessarily only directed against time-wasting as such, but could see games more closely mirroring those at the last World Cup, with more time added on at the end of each half. Referees' chief Howard Webb explained: "We're asking them [the officials] to apply exact amounts of time for goals that are scored, from the moment the goal is scored until the restart. When substitutions happen, we're asking them to add on the time that takes in totality rather than just a rule-of-thumb 30 seconds like has traditionally been the case. Alongside that is an approach whereby we are asking the officials to be proactive in getting the game restarted, not just standing by and letting the time tick up, and also dealing with players who delay the game, who waste time, and to do that in a more consistent way than we might have done it the past."

THE STADIUM CLOCK

At Old Trafford, and elsewhere, the clocks will be left running until the half-time and full-time whistle sounds. It will then be reset for the start of the second half. A reminder has also been issued that the additional time displayed by the fourth official is the MINIMUM that is being applied.

PARTICIPANT BEHAVIOUR CHARTER

There is a new drive to ensure respect is paid to match officials, across the game. Captains, such as Bruno Fernandes, must take responsibility for the behaviour of their team-mates and, if two or more players confront an official then a yellow card will precede being reported to the FA. Bookable offences include confronting and/or disrespectful actions directed towards a match official. A red card will be shown if a player is guilty of discriminatory behaviour/language, aggression and/or offensive language gestures.

THE TECHNICAL AREA

As part of the charter, those in the technical area are being urged to behave in a responsible manner. Only one person is now permitted to stand at the front of the allocated space and coach during the match. While a second person may stand, they must remain very close to the technical-area seating and everybody else must be seated.

MINOR RULE CHANGES

IFAB confirmed some amendments to the Laws of the Game, which we covered here. In addition to the time-keeping elements already mentioned, keep an eye out for a clampdown on goalkeepers' behaviour when a penalty is being taken and a tweak around offside and the action of 'deliberate play' in this area.

TAKING THE KNEE

The Premier League captains have agreed to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to fighting racism and all forms of discrimination. The players will take the knee at set points throughout the season, including before the opening fixtures. This will also be the case around the dedicated No Room for Racism games in October and April, plus on Boxing Day and the last day of the campaign.

NEW KITS

United have released our three strips for 2023/24, with each proving extremely popular with fans. The red home shirt will be worn in the Wolves game, of course, while the away kit with green-and-white stripes was first seen on Tour 2023, in the friendly with Wrexham. Club icon Roy Keane helped launch the classy white third strip this week as adidas have ensured the team will be looking good all season.

WELCOMING A FRESH FACE

Luton Town are to become the 51st club to compete in the Premier League, following their Championship play-off success against Coventry City. The Hatters start at Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend after climbing all the way back up the divisions to rejoin the top flight for the first time since their relegation in 1991/92, the season before the new league was formed.

THREE SIGNINGS

Andre Onana and Mason Mount are in line to make their competitive debuts for the club against Wolves, after being involved in pre-season following their moves from Internazionale and Chelsea respectively. Young striker Rasmus Hojlund has also joined, from Atalanta, but injury looks likely to rule him out on Monday. A reminder that the summer window shuts on 1 September at 23:00 BST.

CHANGE IN OFFICIALS

Look out for three new match officials who have been promoted permanently by PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited). Tim Robinson and Darren Bond will pick up more Premier League fixtures, while assistant-referee Akil Howson has moved up a level. There is no Andre Marriner, though, after the experienced man in the middle retired.

LIVE TV ALTERATION

BT Sport has been rebranded as TNT Sports and the first of our games to be shown live on the channel is next month's trip to newly promoted Burnley. The Turf Moor clash is being staged on Saturday 23 September, with a 20:00 BST kick-off, one of the time slots being used this year.

MID-SEASON BREAK

After the congested fixture list due to the World Cup in Qatar last time out, the winter break has returned for the first time since 2019/20. Our game affected is the home match with Tottenham. The fixtures currently scheduled for 13 January will be split across that weekend and 20/21 January to allow the players a break. The FA has agreed to move the Emirates FA Cup fifth-round matches to midweek and replace replays at that stage with extra-time and penalties.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RACE

There could be five spots available for English clubs in the 2024/25 Champions League, following a change to the format. This will not become clear until towards the end of the term as the two nations performing the best in European competition will clinch the extra spots. A more detailed explanation of the situation is available here.

A shirt for any occasion - United's 2023/24 third kit is available to buy now!