• More: Richard Jolly's predictions | Fixtures in UAE time
The National's sports team is counting down the days until defending champions Leicester City take on newly promoted Hull City in the opening fixture of the 2016/17 English Premier League season by looking at one team a day. Today, Manchester United.
***
Punch, penetration, precision and incision – all the elements United lacked in their attacking build-up last season have been resoundingly addressed with the signings of Henrik Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and with the club in negotiations to smash the world record transfer fee to bring prodigal son Paul Pogba back to the club from Juventus, United will have teeth sharpened for the season ahead.
Jose Mourinho has wasted little time signalling his intention that he aims to make United the fourth championship-winning team on his CV. The addition of Eric Bailly in central defence could see a partnership alongside Chris Smalling blossom into the bedrock that has hallmarked the club for years, from Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Matic. With Luke Shaw back to full fitness following a horrific leg break last year, United’s defence has a formidable look about it once again.
United fans had become disillusioned with the style of football under Mourinho’ predecessor Louis van Gaal, when even an FA Cup final triumph in May was not enough to save the Dutchman’s job. Mourinho rarely leaves a club on good terms, but he does leave with additional silverware to line each club’s trophy cabinet.
Expect United to improve on a fifth-placed finish under the Portuguese; sign the Frenchman Pogba and expect them to be serious challengers to Leicester City’s title.
***
Previously
• Hull City: Promoted club had unstable summer
• Middlesbrough: Hopes lie largely in Spaniards
• Burnley: Third time the charm?
• Sunderland: Moyes the make-or-break factor in survival hopes
• Bournemouth: Well placed to avoid 'second season syndrome'
• Crystal Palace: Time to deliver on all that talent
• West Bromwich Albion: Another season of mid-table mediocrity
• Watford: Early fixtures will set the tone — for better or worse
• Swansea City: Swans need a striker, and stability
• Everton: In good hands with Koeman
• Chelsea: Hazard key to turnaround year
• Stoke City: Defensive stability is essential
• Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp era begins in earnest
• West Ham United: New home, with new expectations
• Southampton: Puel in for baptism by fire
Still to come
• Tomorrow: Manchester City
• Wednesday: Tottenham
• Thursday: Arsenal
• Friday: Leicester City
• Saturday: Premier League season begins
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The specs
Price: From Dh180,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 320hp @ 5,700rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 2,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.7L / 100km
SPECS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
On the menu
First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis
Dessert
▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate
▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream
RESULTS
6.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh82.500 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Meshakel, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner Gervais, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner Global Heat, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner Firnas, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (D) 1,600m
Winner Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm Dubai Trophy (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (T) 1,200m
Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
10pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (T) 1,400m
Winner Wasim, Mickael Barzalona, Ismail Mohammed.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
The%20specs
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Manchester City transfers:
OUTS
Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Willy Caballero and Jesus Navas (all released)
INS
Ederson (Benfica) £34.7m, Bernardo Silva (Monaco) £43m
ON THEIR WAY OUT?
Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Fabian Delph, Nolito and Kelechi Iheanacho
ON THEIR WAY IN?
Dani Alves (Juventus), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Champions League Last 16
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG)
Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED)
Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA)
Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG)
Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA)
Inter Milan (ITA) v Liverpool (ENG)
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press