Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

Image source, Getty Images

There is a welcome buzz around Old Trafford this lunchtime.

The Leeds team are out for their warm-up, greeted with the traditional 'We are Leeds' chant by their fans.

The hosts followed them, also to loud applause.

Now there is the familiar hum of some fans singing, others talking, chatting about what lies ahead.

There are some pretty terrible images on social media which suggests there has been some trouble in the city centre but far more fans are in this stadium now, waiting for the action to begin.

It's brilliant to have them back.

Football Focus

Football Focus is back too with new presenter Alex Scott in the hotseat.

Tune in on BBC One and at the top of this page.

The Premier League is back - and so is Lawro.

The former Liverpool defender and BBC football expert is making predictions for all 380 top-flight matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For the opening weekend's fixtures, he is up against singer-songwriter Louisa Roach, aka psych-pop band She Drew the Gun.

See the predictions in full

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League season started on Friday with promoted Brentford hosting Arsenal.

With coronavirus still a threat to the fixture list in terms of postponements, there remains a sense of unpredictability.

Manchester City won the title last season, but did you back them to defend it this term? Or will someone else be crowned champions?

And which of the three promoted teams - Norwich, Watford and Brentford - did you back to stay up?

Head here to find out

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League returns this weekend for the 2021-22 campaign and clubs are preparing for the return of capacity crowds for the first time since March 2020.

The easing of coronavirus restrictions will see stadiums have no social distancing measures in place in the stands.

However, there remains uncertainty on whether 'vaccine passports' will be introduced from October 2021.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last month there was a plan to mandate certification at venues where "large crowds gather", including sporting venues with capacities of 20,000 or more.

Football Supporters' Association chairman Malcolm Clarke warned introducing such measures could cause "chaos" at some clubs.

So how will the experience differ for supporters?

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

It is that time of the year again. The time to gaze into the future of the Premier League and shatter the hopes and dreams of all 20 clubs with the annual predictions.

While predicting Liverpool would retain their title at the expense of Manchester City last season was hardly on the scale of incompetence demonstrated by tipping Leicester City to be relegated in the year they won the title, it remains a hazardous business.

Forecasting the outcome of every club in the 2021-22 Premier League campaign has arguably been the most difficult since this regular act of pre-season folly began.

No matter. Here goes

Paul Kyle: For all the optimism of the new Man Utd season. To see that formation and team selection is just brutal.

Pete Sanderson: Still not a fan of two holding players at home especially when Fred is one of them. It was only a pre season match but Matic holding in front of back 4 was outstanding last week.

Vaishach: I truly feel sorry for Van De Beek at this point.

Defending champions Manchester City have won the Premier League in three of the past four seasons - but can anyone stop them this time?

Manchester United were City's nearest rivals last time out but finished 12 points back and have still not sustained a serious title bid since they were last champions in 2013.

Will United challenge for top spot until the end in 2021-22? How will Liverpool respond after their title defence imploded at the start of the year? Can Chelsea be contenders again domestically after conquering Europe? And will Leicester, Arsenal, Tottenham or anyone else break into the Champions League places?

We asked 20 BBC TV and radio pundits to pick their top four, with explanations for their selections

Joining Manchester City would be a brilliant move for Harry Kane, but if it happens I don't think it means the Premier League title race is all over.

It's not going to be as straightforward as that for City, especially with Chelsea signing Romelu Lukaku.

Chelsea had everything apart from a goalscorer last season and there were too many times where they created chances and didn't put the ball in the back of the net.

Lukaku changes that because we know he will score goals. He guarantees lots of them actually, which is why they have gone all out to get him and were willing to spend so much to bring him back to Stamford Bridge.

Read Alan Shearer's column in full

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

Manchester United's outgoing executive vice-chairman has written some notes in today's match programme.

He refers to the three-year contract awarded to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last month as confirmation of 'our firm belief we're on the right track under his leadership'.

Woodward adds: "Our objective at Manchester United is always to be competing for the most important trophies with an entertaining, hard-working team comprised of top-class recruits built on a foundation of the best home-grown talent."

Image source, BBC Sport

England international Jadon Sancho is among the Manchester United substitutes at Old Trafford this afternoon.

Paul Pogba, Daniel James and Mason Greenwood all start, with Anthony Martial – who missed a large chunk of last season through injury – among the substitutes.

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, James, Greenwood

Subs: Heaton, Mata, Martial, Pereira, Dalot, Sancho, Matic, Williams, Van de Beek

Image source, BBC Sport

New Leeds signing Junior Firpo is only fit enough for a place on the bench after failing to shake off a minor injury.

Jamie Shackleton is also among the substitutes, but Diego Llorente misses out.

Leeds XI: Meslier, Struijk, Koch, Cooper, Ayling, Dallas, Klich, Raphinha, Rodrigo, Bamford, Harrison

Subs: Klaesson, Firpo, Forshaw, Roberts, Costa, Phillips, Summerville, Greenwood, Shackleton

You have to say it has been one of the best transfer window we have ever had.

Who would have thought Lionel Messi would be leaving Barcelona?

Meanwhile, Premier League clubs have been splashing the cash too as champions Manchester City signalled their intent by signing Aston Villa Jack Grealish for a British record £100m fee.

Chelsea re-signed striker Romelu Lukaku for £97.5m to enhance their forward line, while Manchester United finally completed the £73m deal for Jadon Sancho.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

The players used to go straight into the tunnel when they arrived at Old Trafford.

Now they have a door. All very formal.

New signing Jadon Sancho gave a wave to the returning fans as he went inside.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Reuters

Going to a game today? Getting your pre-match ritual back in order?

Send us your pics with whoever you are with and let us know where you're heading today.

Usual place, #bbcfootball, external

Si was in position nice and early this morning, just as well.

Roadworks on Trafford Road means the dual carriageway is down to a single lane and traffic was already a nightmare at 09:30 this morning.

Firefighters are also tackling a blaze at an unoccupied building on Chester Road leading to road closures near the ground.

A fair few fans may well be late today on their return to Old Trafford.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Brentford Community Stadium

Image source, PA Media

What a start to the season we had.

Brentford celebrated their return to the top tier after a 74-year absence with a memorable, magnificent victory over woeful Arsenal as they opened their Premier League campaign in style.

Thomas Frank's side were vibrant, skilful and energetic on a night of high emotion at the Brentford Community Stadium, making the perfect start to the season, but inflicting serious pain on the Gunners in a sobering 90 minutes for the visitors.

Read the full report

Seven games to get stuck into today, including a war of the roses and five matches kicking-off at 15:00 BST. It's been a long time since we had that many on a Saturday afternoon.

Here is what we have:

Man Utd v Leeds (12:30 BST)

Burnley v Brighton

Chelsea v Crystal Palace

Everton v Southampton

Leicester v Wolves

Watford v Aston Villa

Norwich v Liverpool (17:30)

Image source, Reuters

Newcomers Brentford stunned Arsenal as the 2021-22 Premier League campaign got under way with a bang on Friday.

Now things really start to roll with a bumper Saturday of top-flight action.

Ready? Pumped?