LONDON – Radamel Falcao, Danny Welbeck and Toby Alderweireld are among the players in line to make their debuts as the Premier League resumes this weekend following the international break. Falcao’s move to Manchester United on a season-long loan from Monaco was the headline story when the transfer window closed on September 1. The 28-year-old Colombia striker, who reportedly cost United a £6 million (USD $9.7 million) loan fee, is expected to don the red shirt for the first time on Sunday when Queens Park Rangers visit Old Trafford. Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw, who has recovered from a hamstring injury, could also make their debuts for Louis van Gaal’s side, while record signing Angel di Maria is due to make his first home appearance. United are without a win after three games of the campaign, but Falcao is confident that he and his fellow new arrivals can help restore the club to former glories. “This is a new process, a new team,” he said during his official presentation to the media on Thursday. “This year some players have come in and I think that Manchester United will build a big team this season and in the future, and I would like to be here and to be part of the project.” QPR, meanwhile, could hand debuts to Brazilian midfielder Sandro and Chile forward Eduardo Vargas, who was granted a work permit earlier this week after joining on loan from Napoli. Falcao’s arrival at United saw Danny Welbeck forced out and the England forward is set to make his debut for Arsenal on Saturday when champions Manchester City visit the Emirates Stadium. The £16 million striker scored twice as England won 2-0 against Switzerland in their opening UEFA EURO 2016 qualifier on Monday and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes he can make Welbeck even more effective. “He can first of all make himself a better player, because I can help him,” said Wenger. “Danny is a young boy, not 24 yet, and let’s not forget that some players who arrived here at the age of 23 made huge careers here, so I hope we can contribute and help him.” Sturridge sidelined Neither Chelsea nor Swansea City made any additions to their senior squads on deadline day, but having each won their first three matches, there appeared little need for last-minute additions anyway. The two teams meet at Stamford Bridge, with Swansea coach Garry Monk declaring he has no problems with opposite number Jose Mourinho, who snubbed his offer of a handshake when the teams last met in April. “I’m probably not the only one who he hasn’t shaken hands with,” Monk said. “I like to shake hands and finish well, but I respect him highly. He’s a top manager, a very respected person in football and in that bracket of the very elite.” Last season’s runners-up Liverpool signed off for the international break with an impressive 3-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur, but they will be without Daniel Sturridge for Saturday’s visit of Aston Villa. The 25-year-old striker has been ruled out for up to three weeks after sustaining a thigh strain on England duty, meaning Mario Balotelli will be under even greater scrutiny as he makes his home debut. Tottenham could have new French midfielder Benjamin Stambouli in their starting XI when they visit Sunderland, who have brought in Inter Milan forward Ricardo Alvarez and Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates on loan. Belgium defender Alderweireld, a loan signing from Atletico Madrid, is poised to make his Southampton debut at home to Newcastle United, but Sadio Mane is unlikely to start after work permit issues delayed his return from international duty with Senegal. “I hope he can still be involved,” said Southampton manager Ronald Koeman. “He played on Wednesday night and then he had to travel to Ghana to get his passport stamp before coming to England.” Uruguay striker Abel Hernandez will be the focus of attention when Hull City host West Ham United on Monday, having moved to the KC Stadium from Palermo in a club-record £9.5 million transfer on deadline day.
