MX23RW : Wednesday, August 15 15:04:06

Team News: Paul Pogba skippers Manchester United on opening night

Team News: Pogba skippers United on opening night
© Reuters
Paul Pogba starts for Manchester United and will skipper the side in this evening's Premier League opener against Leicester City.

Paul Pogba will wear the captain's armband for Manchester United in this evening's Premier League opener against Leicester City.

The France international was doubtful for the match due to his late return to training following his exploits with France at the World Cup.

Pogba is thrown straight into the starting lineup, however, and is named captain by boss Jose Mourinho for the clash at Old Trafford.

There is also a first start for £47m summing signing Fred, who lines up in a three-man midfield alongside Andreas Pereira and World Cup-winning midfielder Pogba.

Romelu Lukaku is only among the subs because of fitness concerns, as is Anthony Martial, meaning that Marcus Rashford will lead the line for United.

Elsewhere, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly are given the nod at centre-back - an area that Mourinho was frustrated not to strengthen during the summer transfer window.

In terms of the visitors, the big news is that manager Claude Puel has handed a start to Harry Maguire, despite hinting earlier this week that the Man United target would only be fit enough for a place on the bench.

City fans get a chance to see Ricardo Pereira and James Maddison in a competitive match for the first time since their arrivals over the summer, while Jonny Evans and Rachid Ghezzal are both among the subs.

Leading marksman Jamie Vardy is also part of the matchday 18, but Kelechi Iheanacho is handed a starting spot up top.

Manchester United: De Gea; Shaw, Lindelof, Bailly, Darmian; Pogba, Pereira, Fred; Sanchez, Rashford, Mata
Subs: Grant, Smalling, Young, Fellaini, McTominay, Martial, Lukaku

Leicester City: Schmeichel; Amartey, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell; Ndidi, Silva; Ricardo, Maddison, Gray; Iheanacho
Subs: Ward, Evans, Vardy, Albrighton, Iborra, Fuchs, Ghezzal

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Paul Pogba in action for Manchester United during the FA Cup final on May 19, 2018
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