Louis van Gaal does not wish to suffer a repeat of last season’s opening day defeat to Swansea City at Old Trafford yet he enters this match with unwanted headaches. David de Gea will not play because he is distracted by Real Madrid’s interest and to replace his No1 the manager has only the untested Sam Johnstone or Sergio Romero. Bastian Schweinsteiger, his headline central midfield summer signing, is not match-fit and, if Wayne Rooney was to suffer injury, Van Gaal has only Javier Hernández or James Wilson to replace his central striker. Given the £230m investment the manager has overseen in his 12 months in charge United should still defeat Tottenham. Jamie Jackson
Kick-off Saturday 12.45pm
Venue Old Trafford
Last season Manchester United 3 Tottenham Hotspur 0
Live BT Sport 1
Referee Jonathan Moss
Last season G30, Y114, R8, 4.33 cards per game
Odds H 4-7 A 5-1 D 3-1
Manchester United
Subs from Lindegaard, Romero, Jones, Evans, Januzaj, Herrera, Valencia, McNair, Hernández, Blackett, Pereira
Doubtful Hernández (match fitness), Lindegaard (groin)
Injured Rojo, Schweinsteiger (both match fitness, 14 Aug), De Gea, Valdés (both personal, unknown)
Suspended Fellaini (first of three)
Discipline (last season) Y66 R5
Top scorer (last season) Rooney 12
Tottenham Hotspur
Subs from McGee, Vorm, Mason, Soldado, Lamela, Yedlin, Trippier, Townsend, Alli, Fazio, Pritchard, Winks, Carroll, Wimmer, Davies, Lennon
Doubtful Lloris (wrist), Soldado (back), Townsend (shoulder)
Injured None
Suspended None
Discipline Y80 R4
Leading scorer Kane 21
