Manchester United will open their 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a fiery clash against rivals Arsenal.
There is huge pressure on Ruben Amorim to hit the ground running next season after a miserable 2024/25 campaign saw Manchester United finish 15th and trophyless.
Amorim promised good times are ahead for fans after suffering through last season, but the Premier League fixture release has thrown up a difficult opening weekend.
United will face Arsenal at Old Trafford on the opening weekend, with the match set to take place on August 17th.
Arsenal v Manchester United - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Man United vs Arsenal draw heats up Viktor Gyokeres race
Months before United and Arsenal face each other at the Theatre of Dreams, the two clubs are going head-to-head in the transfer market for Viktor Gyokeres.
Reports suggest Gyokeres prefers a move to Arsenal over United, but the Red Devils are not out of the transfer race just yet.
Gyokeres is open to reuniting with Ruben Amorim after sharing a strong relationship with the Portuguese head coach at Sporting Lisbon.
Any move for the Swedish star has been complicated by Sporting going back on their gentleman’s agreement to sell him for around £60 million this summer, and now Gyokeres is ready to go on strike.
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It feels inevitable that Gyokeres will eventually leave Portugal for either United or Arsenal this summer, and whoever secures his signature will hope he can make the difference in the opening Premier League clash.
Chido Obi can hurt his former club in Man Utd vs Arsenal
If Gyokeres doesn’t make a move to Old Trafford this summer, United will likely move for another centre-forward to bolster Amorim’s ranks.
But 17-year-old Chido Obi will also be hoping to make a step up in 2025/26 and he will want to score against Arsenal more than anyone else.
Obi has taken digs at Arsenal since leaving North London to move to Manchester, and his incredible form in United’s academy will have the Gunners regretting their decision to not promote him to the first team.
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United promised Obi first-team football when he signed last summer and that promise was honoured as he made seven Premier League appearances last season.
Alongside fellow former Arsenal star Ayden Heaven, Obi will want to prove he can be a match-winner against his former side. If United don’t have Gyokeres desperate to beat Arsenal, then Obi could lead the line instead.