The anticipation for the new Premier League season is reaching fever pitch. Just two days after Liverpool and Bournemouth kick off the 2025/26 campaign at Anfield on Friday night, all eyes will be on Old Trafford as Manchester United and Arsenal take to the pitch on Sunday afternoon.
This match marks the start of Ruben Amorim's first full season at the helm of United, and there's a palpable sense of optimism around the club ahead of their season opener. After a fruitful summer transfer window that saw four new faces join the squad, coupled with a promising pre-season, United fans are heading to Old Trafford hopeful that last season's disappointments will be a thing of the past.
But what might Amorim's line-up look like for this crucial first match?
Despite being absent from all of United's pre-season matches, Andre Onana is hoping to secure his spot in goal. The Manchester Evening News reported last Friday that the keeper was aiming to be fit for the showdown with the Gunners, following a hamstring injury he picked up during the first week of pre-season training at Carrington last month.
If Onana is declared fit and given the nod to start, it will be intriguing to see who makes up the back three he'll be charged with directing. Leny Yoro is a sure bet to start, having featured in four of United's five friendlies, but it's less clear who will join him in the defensive line-up.
Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire are vying for a spot in the heart of the back three, while Ayden Heaven is challenging Luke Shaw for the left-sided centre-back position.
All four players will be confident they deserve to start, leaving Amorim with a selection headache to resolve. There's no clear-cut solution, but De Ligt and Shaw might get the green light after each starting three times over the summer.
Amad and Patrick Dorgu are expected to fill the two wing-back roles. The latter has made significant strides during pre-season, especially during the tour of the United States, while Amad featured in all five warm-up matches.
Bruno Fernandes is poised to take up one of the two midfield spots. The United skipper has consistently shown his strength in the engine room and is a sure-fire starter. However, there's an ongoing discussion about who should accompany the Portuguese international. Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro are all in contention, and each had chances to demonstrate their value during pre-season.
With Cunha and Mbeumo providing support, Benjamin Sesko should be thrust straight into the starting line-up to spearhead the attack. The striker joined from RB Leipzig last weekend, completing the attacking puzzle.
Regarding substitutes, manager Amorim has a strong squad to choose from. Tom Heaton, who had a more successful pre-season than Altay Bayindir, should be bumped up to second-choice goalkeeper. Defensive cover could come from Diogo Dalot, Maguire and Heaven, while Mainoo and Casemiro can provide midfield backup. Mason Mount could offer additional support to Cunha and Mbeumo in the No.10 role.
Unless he departs before the match, Hojlund should make the bench. Chido Obi should also be included in the matchday squad against his old team.
United's probable starting XI: Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Amad, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko.
United's bench: Heaton, Dalot, Maguire, Heaven, Mainoo, Casemiro, Mount, Hojlund, Obi.