ALEX CROOK WEEKEND TAKEAWAYS: Sangare Shines & Arsenal Big Winners

Star Sports football ambassador ALEX CROOK is back to report on the opening gameweek of the new Premier League season, where United were mauled by the Tigers, Liverpool got a last-gasp equaliser and Sangare shone for Brentford, in his weekend takeaways…

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🐯 TO HULL AND BACK FOR MICHAEL CARRICK

The glee in the Hull City PA announcer’s voice telling Manchester United fans their trans had been canceled was clear for all inside the MKM to hear.

It capped a miserable opening day for the Red Devils faithful and boss Michael Carrick, who was given a tactical lesson by the counterpart Sergej Jakirović.

Carrick’s men were outfought and outthought by a Tigers side tipped by most pundits to go straight back down.

Hull’s team was predominantly made up of players who had worked their way up from the lower divisions like all-action Matt Crooks and £50,000 bargain buy Regan Slater.

United learnt the hard way that hard work often beats talent if talent is not prepared to work hard.

🔴 MAN UTD TO FINISH IN THE TOP-FOUR WITH STAR SPORTS – ?

✨ SANGARE SHINES AS BEES SILENCE SPURS BUZZ

It took less than one half for big-spending Tottenham to be sent crashing to earth as they were thumped 3-0 by London neighbours Brentford.

This was supposed to be the dawn of a new era after back-to-back 17th placed finishes having spent £237m this summer.

But it was Brentford’s new addition Mamadou Sangare who took centre stage to leave £100m Sandro Tonali trailing in his wake.

For all the shiny new toys Roberto de Zerbi has to play with his side still look a car crash at the back and the Italian’s faith in goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky already looks misplaced.

Time to get the cheque book out again?

🥂 WISSA FINALLY THE TOAST OF THE TOON

Almost a year after his £55m move from Brentford to Newcastle, Yoane Wissa at last started to repay the fee.

Deployed in a number ten role behind William Osula, Wissa gave Liverpool’s defenders a torrid afternoon in Sunday’s entertaining 2-2 draw.

Alongside the equally revitalised Anthony Elanga, Wissa’s performance gave new Magpies chief Matthias Jaissle reasons to be hopeful for the season ahead.

It was just a shame the DR Congo international could not put away a golden chance to make it 3-1, which would surely have handed the German Jaissle victory in his first game in charge

🔴 LIVERPOOL AND VILLA NEED REINFORCEMENTS

If Newcastle fans left St James Park feeling optimistic the same cannot be said for the travelling Liverpool fans.

The Red were fortunate to escape with a point as the defensive vulnerabilities that cost Arne Slot his job were very evident in Andoni Iraola’s maiden Premier League match at the helm.

Teenage winger Rio Ngumoha, filling Mo Salah’s vacant right wing spot, also struggled up against the impressive Lewis Hall while £125m Alexander Isak wilted on his return to the north east.

The visitors’ bench was badly lacking experience and the lack of squad depth has to be a concern for Iraola.

The same can be said for Unai Emery whose Aston Villa line-up for their 4-0 thrashing at Aston Villa resembled a Carabao Cup team against a lower league opponent.

With Ollie Watkins set to join the mass exodus it begs the question will the last one out of Villa Park please turn off the lights?

👏 ARSENAL THE WEEKEND BIG WINNERS

It is wise not to make any knee jerk judgements after one game but Arsenal’s commanding 3-0 win at home to Coventry on Friday suggests they are in fine fettle to defend their title.

While Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United all have questions to answer after their opening salvos, the Gunners already look like they are going to take some stopping.

Captain Martin Odegaard appears back to his best after an injury-hit season last term while new signing Christos Tzolis could prove one of the signings of the summer.

Ezri Konsa’s arrival from Aston Villa bolsters an already imperious defence and there is still a chance Arsenal sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.

It is looking pretty ominous for anyone wanting to knock Mikel Arteta’s men off their perch.

🔴 ARSENAL TO WIN THE LEAGUE WITH STAR SPORTS – ?

🏆 TEAM OF THE WEEK