LONDON, Aug 15: Manchester United are expected to have Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov in the side when they open their bid for a third Premier League title in a row against Newcastle United on Sunday.

Manager Alex Ferguson made it clear this week United are in the market for a striker and British media have reported Tottenham Hotspur’s Berbatov as the target for weeks, fuelled by comments from the striker’s agent last month that United were interested.

Whether or not the widely-tipped move goes through, United will be without Cristiano Ronaldo, who is recovering from ankle surgery and possibly Wayne Rooney, who has had a viral illness.

United will be the last of the League’s “Big Four” to see action on the opening weekend of the new season, with Arsenal facing promoted West Bromwich Albion in an early kick-off at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Arsenal, who missed nine senior players for their midweek Champions League qualifier at Twente Enschede in the Netherlands but still won 2-0, will look to be sharper against West Brom.

Liverpool, who have brought in former Spurs striker Robbie Keane to spearhead the attack with Fernando Torres, visit Sunderland later on Saturday. They will be looking for goals after a frustrating 0-0 draw in Belgium against Standard Liege in their Champions League qualifier on Wednesday.

Chelsea, last season’s runners-up and who are expected to provide the stiffest challenge to United again this season, face FA Cup winners Portsmouth on Sunday.

If Portsmouth are to win at Stamford Bridge for the first time since 1955, they will need a marked improvement on Sunday’s Community Shield defeat by Manchester United on penalties after a tedious 0-0 draw at Wembley.

Everton, who finished fifth last season and should be challenging for a European place again, are at home to a Blackburn Rovers side under new coach Paul Ince.

Aston Villa host Manchester City in a match involving two teams who have already been in competitive action this season in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Cup.

Tottenham have been busy in the transfer market in the close-season buying Croatian midfielder Luka Modric, Mexican teenager Giovani dos Santos, Brazilian goalkeeper Gomes and England winger David Bentley. They start at Middlesbrough.

Saturday will be a special day for Hull City, playing in the top division for the first time since they were formed 104 years ago, hosting a revamped Fulham.—Reuters