Ronaldo is back
All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday afternoon as the Portuguese forward prepares to make his second debut in front of the Old Trafford faithful.
The 36-year-old opted to go to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side after it looked like he would make a sensational move to Manchester City.
After a dramatic turnaround, the 36-year-old is back where he started and has plans to defy his critics and take Manchester United to the top again.
Ronaldo and his team-mates will face Newcastle United on Saturday, who are still without a win this season and have just a point from three games.
Steve Bruce’s men came within a whisker of beating Southampton before the international break but conceded a penalty in injury time to draw.
He has lost 11 of his 12 away fixtures versus his former club during his managerial career, avoiding defeat on one occasion.
They will be without leading marksman Callum Wilson for the trip to Manchester and it could be a tough afternoon with United buoyed after signing Ronaldo.
Ronaldo’s only hat-trick for Manchester United came against Newcastle in 2008. He is set to break the record for the longest gap between Premier League appearances. If he features, it will be 12 years and 118 days since his last game in the top flight.
Carson set to start as Man City face Leicester
In another intriguing Saturday afternoon game, Leicester City host Manchester City at the King Power stadium.
Both teams have six points from three games but have selection issues ahead of the match.
Leicester have once again been unfortunate with injuries and are without a number of defenders, while Manchester City may be without goalkeeper Ederson and Gabriel Jesus due to a FIFA ban after the club didn’t release them for international duty. If Ederson is unavailable then Scott Carson will deputise.
Brendan Rodgers’ men beat the Blues in the Community Shield in August and scored five at the Etihad last season but the champions can make it three consecutive wins at Leicester if they win tomorrow.
Jamie Vardy has scored eight in 10 Premier League games against Pep Guardiola’s Man City.
Must-win for Arsenal
The bottom two face off at the Emirates on Saturday as Arsenal face Norwich in a significant game for Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal have lost their first three leagues matches this season for the first time since 1954 and are bottom of the table with the pressure on the Gunners manager.
They have yet to score and need a morale-boosting victory against a struggling Canaries side. Arsenal should be able to welcome back Gabriel, Thomas Partey and Ben White, who have also missed games so far this season.
The hosts are unbeaten in 30 Premier League home matches against promoted opposition.
Daniel Farke’s men have had an unenviable start, facing Liverpool, Manchester City and Leicester City in their first three games.
Norwich have lost 13 successive Premier League matches by an aggregate score of 34-2.
Spurs go for number four
Elsewhere, manager of the month winner Nuno Espirito Santo takes his team to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace, who are without a win so far this season.
Spurs are top of the table after three successive 1-0 wins and they are aiming to win their opening four top-flight matches for only the fourth time.
