The final fixture of Matchweek 1 sees Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers begin their 2023/24 Premier League seasons at Old Trafford.
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Both clubs underwent plenty of change in the previous campaign as new managers brought their own philosophies, with Erik ten Hag joining from Ajax and leading the Red Devils to their highest points total since the 2017/18 Premier League season, with 75.
Contrastingly, a slow start saw Bruno Lage replaced by Julen Lopetegui in November last year, who eventually steered Wolves out of trouble and to a 13th-place finish.
However, following Lopetegui’s exit last week, Wolves have turned to Gary O’Neil, who impressively guided AFC Bournemouth to Premier League safety last season.
Last five meetings
13 May 2023: Man Utd 2-0 Wolves
31 Dec 2022: Wolves 0-1 Man Utd
3 Jan 2022: Man Utd 0-1 Wolves
29 Aug 2021: Wolves 0-1 Man Utd
23 May 2021: Wolves 1-2 Man Utd
Key facts
- This is the fifth time in their history Man Utd are beginning a top-flight campaign with a match on a Monday. They've gone on to win the title on three of the previous four occasions they've done so (1907/08, 2010/11 and 2012/13), failing only in 1912/13, when they finished fourth.
- Since losing to Brighton & Hove Albion on the opening weekend last season, Man Utd are now unbeaten in their last 18 Premier League home matches (W15 D3), conceding just eight goals in this run. They've won their last six in a row at Old Trafford, last having a longer streak between May-November 2017, with eight.
- A Wolves win or draw will see them avoid losing their third consecutive opening league match of the season, a string of results that last happened between 1988/89 and 1990/91.
Team news
Both managers spoke about players who could play tonight. Ten Hag discussed the impact of Mason Mount and Andre Onana, who are set to make their competitive debuts for the club tonight, while O'Neil spoke about Fabio Silva who caught the eye in pre-season.
“I think they [Mount and Onana] are in a good place,” Ten Hag said.
“And it's definitely an advantage when Mason was in from the start, [in the] first session [of pre-season] he was there.
“Andre came in, we were just in the USA, came into the team and then the tour.
“So, you are so intense, you live together and then you know each other very quick. So that's a big advantage. They are there.”
“He’s had a good pre-season [Fabio Silva]. I’ve watched all the games and he’s looked lively, he looks fit, so I’m pleased with where he is and where he’s at,” O'Neil said.
“Obviously, he’s only had two days working with me so it’s hard to tell from that spell, but from the pre-season games and how bright he’s looked, he looks to be a great asset for us, and I look forward to working with him.”
Ten Hag's pre-match quotes
Ten Hag discussed his side's preparations going into the season and trying to avoid a repeat of their Matchweek 1 defeat last season.
“You never can compare seasons with each other, but I think we are much further than last season. But you can never compare games, [Wolves are] also different opponents.
See: Premier League 2023/24 club previews: Man Utd
“When you are going for the points, it is a different approach for both teams. We are ready, we want to fight. We are looking forward and energetic and we go for it.
O'Neil's pre-match quotes
O’Neil spoke enthusiastically about his excitement over his new role and the challenges that come with taking on Man Utd less than a week after being appointed.
“The big challenge for me will be that every other club in the league have been working towards this game for six weeks in a certain way and we’ve had a very different pre-season to that and have been working in a different way until four or five days to go.
See: 2023/24 Premier League club previews: Wolves
“But there are no excuses in there and I’m aware we have a Premier League game on Monday, so I want to make sure the group is as ready as we can be.”
