New managers, new players, new hopes and new dreams as clubs ready themselves for another marathon season

Erik ten Hag is one step closer to playing an all-former-Ajax back five after the arrivals of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. With André Onana and Lisandro Martínez already in position, the head coach’s influence in transfer activity is clear. What this means, however, is that Ten Hag will not be left with many excuses if the defence is not up to scratch. The vast majority of new players arriving in the Premier League need time to settle, but how much can they be afforded given the need to get off to a good start? They should all know how the manager wants them to operate, having worked with him before, but whether they can function as a unit remains to be seen. Fulham won at Old Trafford last season and are capable of doing it again, which would put United on the back foot from the start. With a difficult trip to Brighton followed by Liverpool at home, United’s new defence must harmonise quickly, otherwise the pressure will be on. Will Unwin

Manchester United v Fulham, Friday 8pm (all times BST)

Ipswich Town v Liverpool, Saturday 12.30pm

Arsenal v Wolves, Saturday 3pm

Everton v Brighton, Saturday 3pm

• Manager says his trophy haul second only to City
• ‘We want to win every competition,’ Dutchman adds

Erik ten Hag says Manchester United’s ambition is to win the Premier League, claiming they have only been second best to rivals Manchester City since his arrival in 2022.

The Dutchman has led the club to Carabao Cup and FA Cup triumphs in his first two seasons but they finished a disappointing eighth in May.

• Captain pens fresh contract which ties him until 2027
• ‘Everyone knows the passion I have for United’

The Manchester United captain, Bruno Fernandes, has signed a new contract until June 2027, with the option of a further year.

Fernandes, who joined from Sporting in 2020, had two years remaining on his current deal but has penned an extension that will put his wages in line with the club’s highest earners.

Former Manchester United midfielder on why teenager reminds him of Zidane, the buzz of working at Salford and his pending Old Trafford return

“I’m not sure you can train it – I think it’s just in you,” Paul Scholes says of the fundamental qualities that made him the most decorated English footballer: calmness and composure. Those asking after England’s Euro 2024 final defeat last month where the country’s Rodri, Modric or Kroos was, could just as easily have wondered: “Where is our Scholes?”

Well, the midfield past master is here, at a special free school in Stretford, Greater Manchester – like the one his son, Aiden, attended – learning how the funds from a charity match will help. He’s wiping a mild sweat off his brow after playing football with a class of kids. And here he is, eulogising Kobbie Mainoo, Manchester United’s young midfielder who many believe could fulfil that role the triumphant Spaniards call pivote.

From a pair of Spurs youngsters to Brighton’s new Gambian acquisition, 10 players who could become household names

By Sam Hammond for WhoScored

The Swedish teenager Lucas Bergvall agreed an £8.5m move from Djurgården in February, before officially joining Tottenham this summer. Bergvall is an all-action midfielder, well suited to a No 8 role in Ange Postecoglou’s fluid Tottenham system. The 18-year-old, already capped once for his national side, is more than capable of winning back possession in the middle of the park, before playing the right pass for a further advanced teammate. Bergvall has impressed in pre-season and provided a smart assist for compatriot Dejan Kulusevski against Bayern Munich last weekend.

• Bayern Munich defensive duo arrive in deal worth £60m
• Luke Shaw sidelined for start of season with calf injury

Manchester United have laid down an early marker for the season by completing the £60m double transfer deal of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich.

The United manager, Erik ten Hag, had made it plain to the board that he needed to reinforce his squad after last season was blighted by injuries. And the coach has had his wishes granted with De Ligt and Mazraoui swelling his options.

• Defender, 26, ends five-year stay at Old Trafford
• I’m excited for what’s coming,’ says Wan-Bissaka

West Ham have signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United for a reported transfer fee of £15m. The 26-year-old defender, who made 190 appearances over five seasons for United after joining from Crystal Palace for £50m in 2019, has agreed a seven-year contract with the Hammers.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be back in London and I’m excited for what’s coming,” he said. “I was born here and I know the ins and outs of London, which plays a big part in my life, so to be back playing in this city means a lot to me.”

Erik ten Hag’s future was in the balance mere months ago after their lowest-ever finish but it is now full throttle ahead with the backing of Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Guardian writers’ predicted position: 5th (NB: this is not necessarily Jamie Jackson’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)

Last season’s position: 8th

• Bayern Munich pair will cost £51m
• Wan-Bissaka on his way out in £15m deal

Manchester United are expected to complete the signings of the defenders Matthijs de Ligt and ­Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich for a combined fee of more than £50m, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka set to join West Ham. The deals for De Ligt and Mazraoui – who played under Erik ten Hag when he was at Ajax – were agreed over the weekend.

Both players were pictured on their way to United’s Carrington training ground on Monday.

Fans have their say on key players, wonderkids and weak links – and make predictions for the season ahead

• Part one: Arsenal to Ipswich

My first target is at least 12 points so Derby remain the worst team in history. In fact, I remember doing this feature a decade ago when we were last promoted. Then, I quipped that Leicester were here to stay … this time I think it might be a final farewell tour.

Chris Whiting clippings.me/chriswhiting; @ChrisRWhiting

Steph Jones

Lloyd Scragg ninetythreetwenty.com; @lloyd_scragg

• Manchester United striker missed two good openings
• Guardiola impressed with young midfielders

Erik ten Hag has backed Marcus Rashford to get back to his best after he failed to convert pivotal chances in Manchester United’s Community Shield defeat by Manchester City. United were left to rue the missed opportunities as City won on penalties after Alejandro Garnacho and Bernardo Silva traded late goals in normal time.

The England striker had two opportunities to give United the lead but failed to convert from close range under limited pressure from defenders. Rashford scored only seven times in 33 Premier League appearances last season and was not called up to England’s Euro 2024 squad because of his overall poor form.

Community Shield told us little about the champions but Erik ten Hag may have solved his side’s midfield problem

Unfurl the bunting! Prepare the open-topped bus! Paint the city blue! Or perhaps not. This time it was City who won the second Manchester derby at Wembley inside 80 days and, while the Community Shield hardly competes with May’s FA Cup final, it does means that a potential quintuple is on. For a team as successful as Manchester City, every new goal is worth highlighting.

City didn’t seem overjoyed at the final whistle, United didn’t seem devastated. Why would they? Having lost in each of the last three Community Shields, City more than anybody know how little bearing the curtain-raiser has on the show to come. Only one of the past 13 Community Shield winners have gone on to win the title; were City to do so this season they would become only the ninth side to claim both the Community Shield and Premier League in the same season. “It is what it is,” as a resolutely sober Rúben Dias sagely confirmed. “Another trophy.”

By the end of August few will remember much about the Community Shield but Manchester City enjoyed winning this curtain-raiser. They lost the FA Cup final to United in May but fought back late on and kept calmest from the spot.

Two substitutes – Alejandro Garnacho and Bernardo Silva – traded late goals in a forgettable encounter but it was fitting that a shootout was the deciding metric. Sudden death was required with City taking the glory when Jonny Evans meekly chipped over before Manuel Akanji converted. City lost a shootout against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals in April, so success on Saturday will be a positive experience, which is what friendlies are for.

• Minute-by-minute updates on the action at Wembley
• Any thoughts? Feel free to get in touch with Barry

Manchester United: In news that could send a chill shiver down the collective spine of United fans who already think their goalkeeper is something of a liability, André Onana has declared he will “take a lot of risks” this season and will accept any criticism coming his way if he costs his side victories. Jamie Jackson reports …

Referee: John Brooks

Referee’s assistants: Adrian Holmes and Nick Greenhalgh

Fourth Official: Jarred Gillett

Video Assistant Referee: Peter Bankes

Some players, like Rashford, had a summer off but squad remains bedevilled by injuries and other absentees

Amid the gloom of an eighth-placed Premier League finish there was plenty to bring optimism to Manchester United. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s new minority ownership lifted the club out of a malaise, even if the results are yet to be witnessed, Kobbie Mainoo proved the academy is still producing elite talent and they won the FA Cup final against Saturday’s Community Shield opponents – and fierce rivals – Manchester City.

There were, however, many reasons why the team ended in their worst Premier League position and bowed out of Europe in December. Injuries played a major part and Erik ten Hag never looked to have a definitive plan of how to achieve his objectives but another key issue was the lack of senior players having the influence their reputations demand.

• Doubts over fitness of four and readiness of Martínez
• Bennett or Amass may come in to face Manchester City

Erik ten Hag will start the season with a selection dilemma as he waits to find out how many of Manchester United’s defenders will be available for Saturday’s Community Shield against Manchester City.

Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are doubts, Lisandro Martínez returned to training only this week after winning the Copa América with Argentina and the new signing Leny Yoro is out for three months with a foot injury.

• Ground likely to be scaled down to about 30,000 seats
• United’s women’s team and academy would play there

Manchester United do not plan to demolish Old Trafford if they build a new stadium. Their home ground since 1910 would probably be scaled down to a capacity of about 30,000 for use by the women’s team and academy.

With the women playing most home games about 15 miles away in Leigh, such a move would be a significant upgrade for them, but the plan would also be carried out with history in mind.

• Keeper accepts criticism justified if he costs team points
• Onana says his ‘back is huge’ to carry the responsibility

André Onana has declared he will “take a lot of risks” this season and accepts any criticism received if he costs Manchester United victories will be justified.

The goalkeeper’s first season at Old Trafford was uneven and he did not justify his reputation as one of the world’s best in his position with his feet, but he has vowed to continue playing creatively.

In a mailbag edition of his newsletter, Jonathan Wilson answers your questions on the multi-club model, how Kylian Mbappé will fit at Real Madrid and VAR

• Sign up to Soccer with Jonathan Wilson here