What’s happening at United this week?
It’s set to be a busy week at Manchester United, as the Reds prepare for and then play the club's first Premier League fixture of 2020/21 - at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Chuck in a few significant anniversaries and birthdays and there really is a lot to look out for over the next week…
MONDAY
We start with Neil Wood’s Under-23s, who began the season with that excellent 6-0 EFL Cup win over Salford City last week. Now attention turns to their maiden league match of 2020/21, with the Reds taking on Leicester City at Leigh Sports Village (19:00 BST). The match can be watched in full on MUTV, with live coverage starting at 18:45 BST.
Elsewhere, this day marks exactly 57 years to the day since George Best made his United debut. The first of his 470 appearances in a Red shirt was a successful one, with Matt Busby’s men beating West Bromwich Albion 1-0 at Old Trafford.
From one Northern Irishman to another, and Monday sees the release of the latest UTD Podcast, which this week stars Roy Carroll. The former Reds goalkeeper had plenty to say about his four-year stint at United, and his life away from Old Trafford. The podcast will be available here from late afternoon.
UTD Podcast: Mistakes at United make headlines
In our new podcast out this Monday evening, Roy Carroll recalls how he infamously spilled a shot against Spurs...
While the countdown to our Premier League kick-off continues, our attention will briefly turn to the Carabao Cup as we discover who the Reds will be up against in the third round of the competition. Reading and Luton Town lock horns at 18:00 BST, with the winners set to host United the following week. We have interest in another of Tuesday's ties, too, as Crystal Palace face Bournemouth away. Roy Hodgson’s men will be buoyed after an excellent opening league victory at home Southampton last weekend and their cup game at 19:45 BST will give Ole's staff another chance to assess the Eagles' threat.
WEDNESDAY
On this day in 1992, a 17-year-old Gary Neville made his United debut in a UEFA Cup tie against Torpedo Moscow. The young full-back came on for the final minutes of the first leg, a goalless draw at Old Trafford, but it proved to be his only appearance for the first team that season.
Focus on the weekend’s Premier League return will really intensify. Ole and his coaching staff at the Aon Training Complex will, no doubt, be applying the final touches to their tactical plan for Palace and discussing whether Donny van de Beek will make his official debut on Saturday, after our new signing played the full 90 minutes in the pre-season friendly against Aston Villa.
FRIDAY
It’s another busy day as we ramp up preparations for the Palace encounter. The manager is set to host his first pre-match press conference of the season and could give an update on which players are available for the Premier League opener. As usual, you can watch his briefing on MUTV but also on ManUtd.com and in the Official App.
Friday could also be the day we announce our full list of squad numbers for the 2020/21 season. We already know van de Beek will wear no.34, while Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams have been given new shirts - 11 and 33 respectively - but fans will soon be able to discover if there are any other changes.
We’ll also be wishing a very happy birthday to former goalkeeper Alex Stepney, who turns 78, and United Women forward Jane Ross, who turns 31 on this day after scoring the opening goal in her team's 5-2 win at Birmingham last Sunday.
SATURDAY
Neil Ryan’s Under-18s kick off an exciting day by taking on Blackburn Rovers at 10:45 BST at the Aon Training Complex, a match you can watch live on MUTV.
A few hours later and attention switches to the big one: our maiden game of the 2020/21 Premier League season. The Reds are out for revenge against Crystal Palace, who came away from Old Trafford with three points last season, although we did beat the Londoners 2-0 at Selhurst Park in July. The match kicks off at 17:30 BST, and there'll be comprehensive coverage across club media, including live radio commentary on MUTV and live updates on ManUtd.com and in our Official App.
SUNDAY
Make sure to check out ManUtd.com and our Official App, for all the reaction to Saturday’s game. Highlights, videos, interviews and opinions: we’ll have everything you need after our season opener.
The new season is here! Our 2020/21 home, away and third kits are available now from United Direct.