The opening weekend’s flagship Premier League encounter will unfold at Old Trafford, where Manchester United will host Arsenal on Sunday.
Manchester United, who face Arsenal this weekend, finished in an unacceptable place last season in the Premier League and lost in the UEFA Europa League final to Tottenham, in what was described as one of the worst seasons for the club. Despite major questions over their financial capacity for the summer window, the Red Devils have responded exceptionally well by signing key attacking stars.
Ahead of the opening game of the Premier League season, Ruben Amorim has a fresh front three, as well as a rejuvenated squad ready for the challenges ahead. With only one game per week for most parts of the season, it is a campaign of big tests for the Portuguese tactician to showcase his credentials and help Manchester United get back among the elites of the English game.
With the pressure on Amorim to deliver, not only at the end of the season but also to have a great start to the campaign, the task just got trickier. Manchester United open their Premier League account with a stern test against Arsenal, having not beaten the Gunners since 2022, as fans will want to see Amorim break that hoodoo.
Speaking of pressure, Mikel Arteta has a load of it on his shoulders ahead of another season at Arsenal. For the Spanish tactician, the message is clear: deliver the Premier League title, having finished in second place for three consecutive seasons now.
Arsenal’s new sporting director, Andrea Berta, has delivered on his promises so far in the window, having signed quality players to help the first team squad. The North London outfit probably boast the best depth in the division, which leaves Arteta with no excuses to make good use of the options he has at the moment.
Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United, and the venue has not been overly successful for Arteta, He only has two victories to show here since taking over as the Gunners boss. The Arsenal manager will hope for a fast start, and on paper, the team seems ready for the challenge ahead, especially in the first six games.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
Ruben Amorim will carefully pick his squad depending on player sharpness ahead of this mammoth fixture. On the injury front, Noussair Mazraoui is certainly absent from proceedings alongside Lisandro Martinez, who continues to recover from an ACL rupture and remains some way off from making his return.
Joshua Zirkzee has not played since the end of last season due to a muscle problem. The Dutchman has resumed training, but it may be a case of match fitness that might keep him out of this clash. Andre Onana has also resumed training, having missed the whole pre-season with a hamstring issue, and should he be deemed fit enough, Amorim might start him ahead of second-choice keeper Altay Bayindir.
Rasmus Hojlund might be involved in the squad as a backup striker despite transfer speculation surrounding his future. The headline act for Manchester United is their new front three of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha. The Slovenian striker only joined the group a few days ago, but Amorim has insisted he is ready mentally and physically, which does point towards an imminent start for the striker.
Amorim might produce in his usual setup with a back three featuring Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, although former Arsenal man Ayden Heaven is an alternative for the latter. Bruno Fernandes could take up a deeper role in central midfield alongside Casemiro, while Diogo Dalot might get the nod at right wing-back, as Amorim might keep Amad Diallo on the bench as a substitute for Mbeumo as the game progresses.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Dalot, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta will have most of his players fit and available except Gabriel Jesus, who remains on the mend from an ACL rupture. Leandro Trossard is the only player doubtful from the current group due to a groin issue he sustained against Tottenham in pre-season.
The Belgian international has resumed training and is widely expected to get a place on the bench if the medical team deems him ready. Beyond that, the final pre-season game against Athletic Club probably indicated the first lineup for the Premier League season.
Arteta is expected to start new midfielder Martin Zubimendi alongside Declan Rice in a double-pivot, thus changing from a three-man unit deployed last season. Martin Odegaard could get the license to operate freely in the No.10 role from here on, which might indicate a major shift in style.
Riccardo Calafiori is widely expected to start at left-back with Jurrien Timber on the right, while William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes resume their partnership in central defence. Up front, the headline act will come in the form of new arrival Viktor Gyokeres against his former boss Amorim, while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli complete the front three for Arsenal.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Gyokeres
Key Stats
Manchester United have won more Gameweek 1 fixtures (22) than any other Premier League team.
With a victory on Sunday, Manchester United could become the first team in history to beat Arsenal for the 100th time across all competitions.
Arsenal are undefeated in 26 of their last 28 matches in the Premier League.
Arsenal have scored in 11 straight games at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
Arsenal have won their last three opening day games in the Premier League.
Player to Watch
Viktor Gyokeres
Embed from Getty Images
At a certain point, had things materialised for either side, Benjamin Sesko would have lined up for Arsenal and Viktor Gyokeres for Manchester United. However, things transpired differently, and now the Swede will be thrust into action at Old Trafford as he leads the line for Arsenal on Sunday. It is a big opportunity for the marksman to shrug the pressure off his shoulders and make a bold statement of intent by announcing himself with a goal.
Gyokeres is widely seen as the missing piece of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal puzzle, and now he has a big chance to showcase why he is worth the hype. A top performance here at Old Trafford will go a long way in helping the Gunners establish themselves at the top of the order, and the Swede will be the man to watch in this blockbuster fixture.
Prediction
Manchester United 1-2 Arsenal
Manchester United certainly have the credibility when it comes to performing well in big games at Old Trafford, specifically against Arsenal. However, there are some doubts whether Ruben Amorim has found his grounding with this team, and from a quality perspective, the Red Devils are probably still short of Arsenal in many areas of the pitch.
Much like Manchester United, Arsenal have made some new signings, although they have already adapted to Mikel Arteta’s style, which will be a key aspect ahead of this clash. Arteta has a set system, and he has the right players to execute the game plan.
The pressure situation aside, should Arsenal play to their strengths, the three points are theirs for the taking, and they are expected to kick-start the new season with a win. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for Arteta and his charges.