Changes To Look Out For in 2016/17

Every Manchester United fan is approaching the big kick-off with real relish so we decided to compile a list of some of the changes you may notice in 2016/17...

* First and foremost, the name of the division has changed. No longer do United play in the Barclays Premier League but rather just the Premier League. The logo has changed too - it is now a close-up of a crowned lion - and this is reflected in the patches on the sleeves of the players.

* A number of Premier League fixtures will take place on Friday nights. Indeed, the Reds' opening home game on 19 August against Southampton is one of these. For UK viewers, the Saturday teatime slot belongs to BT Sport with Sky Sports showing 126 top-flight games in total.

* West Ham United have a new home ground - the London (formerly Olympic) Stadium - while Liverpool are completing a new Main Stand, causing the Merseysiders' first three matches to be played away from Anfield. This will be Tottenham's final campaign at White Hart Lane with United currently scheduled to be the North Londoners' final opponents at the famous venue. Stoke City's home is no longer the Britannia Stadium but rather the Bet365 Stadium.

* Several rule changes have taken place - including kick-offs no longer need to be passed forward. Players committing accidental fouls that deny a goalscoring opportunity will now be cautioned rather than sent off, those injured by a challenge punishable by a yellow or red card no longer need to leave the field for treatment and referees can issue red cards from the pre-match pitch inspection onwards.

* Referees have the power to send off players who confront or swear at them. Yellow cards can be issued for physical contact of any kind with the official and crowding him following a decision.

* In the FA Cup, from the sixth round onwards, clubs will be permitted to make a fourth substitution during extra time.

* The League Cup is now known as the English Football League Cup - the semi-finals remain over two legs and United will enter the competition in the third round.

* New season, new ball. It's an Ordem 4 and pretty colourful - a mix of green, purple, blue and black.

* After the provisional list of shirt numbers was released, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is to wear no.9 with Anthony Martial at 11. Other new boys Eric Bailly (3), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (22) and Paul Pogba (6) have also been allocated their numbers. Of course, the Reds also have unveiled new adidas strips in time for the big kick-off.

* Look out for new faces in the opposing dugouts. Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) and Antonio Conte (Chelsea) are two high-profile arrivals into English football for the first time while former United boss David Moyes has replaced Sam Allardyce at Sunderland. Ronald Koeman switched from Southampton to Everton with Claude Puel taking over at the St Mary's helm. Mike Phelan is in caretaker charge at Hull City after fellow ex-Red Steve Bruce left the club.

* The club are ensuring a fairer distribution of tickets for away games - a single payment card cannot be used on more than one application. The away match tickets are non-transferable and cannot be passed on to other spectators.

* Emergency loans have been scrapped so such moves can only take place during transfer windows. Parent clubs are also no longer able to recall loanees at short notice.

* The Under-21 Premier League has been replaced with Premier League 2 - an Under-23 competition. Warren Joyce's Reserves will compete in this division and also the Premier League International Cup.

Credit: Manutd.com