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Both clubs are desperate to take the first step towards restoring past glories: United looking to recover from a nightmare 2024-25 campaign, and Arsenal determined to end their run of near misses.
United’s disastrous season saw them slump to 15th in the league, though Ruben Amorim remains in charge as he prepares for his first full campaign at the helm. With no European football to distract them, United will hope that a lighter schedule brings consistency in the league.
Bruno Fernandes has resisted offers from Saudi Arabia, while a refreshed attacking unit has helped them enjoy an unbeaten pre-season, capped by victory in the Premier League Summer Series.
Draws against Leeds, Everton and Fiorentina tempered expectations, but back-to-back wins over West Ham and Bournemouth showed signs of progress. Remarkably, United did not manage consecutive league wins at any point last season.
They will, however, take confidence from their opening-day record: 22 victories on matchday one, more than any other Premier League club. A win here would be historic too, as it would make them the first side to beat Arsenal 100 times in all competitions.
Arsenal arrive in Manchester fresh from a sharp 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Emirates Cup. New signing Viktor Gyökeres opened his account, Martin Zubimendi set up Bukayo Saka, and Kai Havertz rounded things off to put recent defeats to Tottenham and Villarreal firmly behind them. With a full-strength midfield working smoothly, Mikel Arteta’s men looked assured and ready to launch another title challenge.
The Gunners have finished second in each of the past three seasons, and with rivals Liverpool, City and Chelsea all strengthening heavily, the coming campaign promises to be one of the fiercest title races in years.
For now, their focus is on maintaining early momentum. Arsenal have won their opening fixture in each of the past three seasons, and they have scored in 11 consecutive league games at Old Trafford. Not since 2013 have they drawn a blank at the Theatre of Dreams.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
It could easily have been the other way around this summer, but instead of Benjamin Sesko leading the line for Arsenal and Viktor Gyökeres joining Manchester United, the two strikers will meet as rivals at Old Trafford.Sesko is set to make his Premier League debut in red, with Ruben Amorim confirming that the forward is in the right frame of mind both physically and mentally. He could form part of a new-look front three alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, though that setup would push Bruno Fernandes into a deeper role.
United have received a boost with Joshua Zirkzee and Andre Onana both fit again after injury and ready to feature despite ongoing transfer speculation. Rasmus Højlund, linked with Fulham, is also available. However, Noussair Mazraoui (hamstring) and Lisandro Martínez (knee) remain sidelined.
For Arsenal, Gyökeres looks set for a full Premier League debut after his powerful showing against Athletic Bilbao, though Kai Havertz pressed his case with a superb goal off the bench in that same match. Should Gyökeres score, he would join Mo Johnston and Paulo Wanchope as only the third player to net against United at Old Trafford on their Premier League debut.
Mikel Arteta is hopeful Leandro Trossard will shake off a minor groin issue in time to be involved. That would leave long-term absentee Gabriel Jesus, recovering from an ACL injury, as the only Arsenal player missing through injury.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Manchester United possible starting lineup:Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
EXPERT PREDICTION
Manchester United 1-2 Arsenal
Despite Manchester United’s heavy investment in attacking talent, Ruben Amorim’s new-look forward line may need time to settle. Arsenal, by contrast, already look sharp, with Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyökeres showing an instant connection in the Emirates Cup.
With a full-strength back line reinforced by the return of set-piece specialist Gabriel Magalhães, the Gunners look well placed to edge what promises to be a tense opening-day contest.
