Preview: Manchester United vs Arsenal – prediction, team news, lineup

The most anticipated match-up this weekend sees Manchester United take on Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, as both managers look to make a winning start to what is surely going to be a campaign filled with keen eyes, they will also look to restore their team to where they belong.

After dominating the English league for a long time, United fans would not have believed that they would one day finish 15th in the English Premier League, while the Gunners, who feel it's time they win the league again, have finished 2nd in the last three seasons.

Match Preview

After being appointed head coach by United in November to help reverse the fortune of the team, things went from bad to worse for Ruben Amorim as United would end up finishing in 15th position and 24 points outside the top 5. There would be lots of eyes on Amorim as some feel he is lucky to still be in charge till this moment, and reasons as to why he wasn’t sacked last season are being asked.

As Ruben Amorim readies himself for his first full season with Manchester United, the lack of continental football might just be in his favour, as United would not need to travel out of the country and only play all their matches in England.

The transfer window came with its activities as it saw their main man, Bruno Fernandes, sign a big-money move to Saudi Arabia for a new look attack at the Theatre of Dreams. Some sense of belief has been restored as they went unbeaten during pre-season while winning both the Snapdragon cup and the Pl summer series. However, draws with Leeds United, Everton and Fiorentina made wins over West Ham and Bournemouth less appealing, but those successes came back-to-back, something Man United failed to achieve in the entire 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

However, United go into this weekend's match having won more Premier League MD1 contests than any other side (22), as victory over Arsenal would mean United are the first team to beat Arsenal 100 times in all competitions.

Arsenal's last pre-season match saw them put three past Athletic Bilbao, which saw them retain the Emirates Cup courtesy of a near flawless display. Martin Zubimendi’s first assist in red and white and Viktor Gyokos' goal preceded a Bukayo Saka tap-in and a Kai Havertz finish in a 3-0 win, where Mikel Arteta’s men set aside the losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Villareal, where, just like last season, Arsenal were finding it hard to be creative.

A win in regulation time and penalty as well over Athletic Bilbao will be seen as a welcome bonus for Mikel Arteta’s side ahead of the much-anticipated match this weekend and a title charge overall. After years of finding it hard to break into the top two, Arsenal are now being mocked for finishing in the top two for the past three seasons and with the way rivals have spent over the summer, fans are expecting a much keenly contested title fight over the coming months.

Arsenal right now are focused on winning an MD1 fixture for the fourth time in a row, at a ground where they have scored in 11 straight games, and the last time they were kept out at Old Trafford was in 2013.

Manchester United pre-season form

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Arsenal pre-season form:

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Team News

With Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres set to meet this weekend, it sets the tone for an intriguing contest with the United boss confirming that Sesko is in the right place both physically and mentally to make his Premier League debut, potentially forming a new look front three with both Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha, although that would mean Bruno Fernandes drops deeper into midfield. Both Joshua Zirkzee and Andre Onana should be part of the squad after having just recovered from injury, despite the fact that Onana might be asked to start, as Amorim wouldn’t be too sure about his backup keeper in Altay Bayindir. Rasmus Hojlund, despite links linking him away from Old Trafford, is absent as both Noussair Mazraoui (hamstring) and Lisandro  Martinez (knee) are absent.

If Gyokeres scores against United, he would become just the third man to score against Man United at Old Trafford on their Premier League debut, following in the footsteps of Mo Johnton (1992) and Paulo Wanchope (1997).

Arteta will be hoping Leandro Trossard’s groin issue would have disappeared before kick-off on Sunday, leaving only Gabriel Jesus as the only injury-related absentee.

Possible Lineup

Manchesster United: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven; Amad, fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu; Mbuemo Cunha; Sesko

Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-skelly; Odegaard, Norgaard, rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli

Key Players

Manchester United: Bruno Fernandes

Since his transfer to United, Bruno has always been United’s most dangerous player, and this season won't be any different, as they will look towards his creativity to come into play if they want to stand any chance of winning.

Arsenal: Bukayo Saka

Despite the arrival of a focal point in Gyokeres, Arsenal would still look to Bukayo Saka to find answers for them, as his constant flicks and tricks would need to be at their best if they are to get anything from this match.

For all of Man United’s cash splashing in the final third, the three marquee signings might need time to gel together. Whereas Arsenal's new boys already have an understanding of each other, will  Gyokeres get his first goal for Arsenal?. Let's sit down and enjoy the spectacle.