Manchester United begin their 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a clash against fierce rivals Arsenal.
It has been a successful pre-season for Manchester United, with the Red Devils remaining unbeaten all summer, but the real test begins on Sunday afternoon.
Ruben Amorim has the toughest start of any Premier League manager in his first five matches, starting with a visit from title-chasing Arsenal.
Amorim is expected to field a new-look side against Arsenal, involving some of the four major signings made over the summer.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim looks on during the pre-season friendly match.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim must stop ‘incredible’ Arsenal star vs Man United
There are plenty of exciting storylines heading into Sunday’s clash, including both teams ready to field new star strikers.
Viktor Gyokeres joined Arsenal this summer, while Benjamin Sesko made sacrifices to join United. Both strikers will hope to hit the ground running at Old Trafford.
Amorim will know Gyokeres’ weaknesses from their time together in Portugal, but it is one of Arsenal’s other new additions which will be the biggest worry.
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Arsenal signed Martin Zubimendi for £60 million to bolster their midfield this summer, and the Spaniard will be key for the Gunners on Sunday.
United’s midfield department is an area that Ineos want to strengthen, hence the ongoing talks for Carlos Baleba this summer.
During pre-season, Amorim spotted a “lack of pace” in midfield, and that could be exploited by Zubimendi, who was praised as “incredible” by Mikel Arteta over the summer.
The midfield battle will be key to deciding which team controls possession on Sunday, and Zubimendi thrives at controlling the pace and tempo of a match. Amorim will need to keep him quiet at all costs.
Ruben Amorim knows how to beat Arsenal
Last season, Amorim faced Arsenal three times across all competitions, winning one, drawing one and losing one.
Following the defeat in the Premier League, Amorim pointed out Arsenal’s physicality and explained that they simply overpowered his United team back in December.
Handling set-pieces and Arsenal’s physicality will be key, but over the summer, that is where United have improved.
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Ahead of Sunday’s match, Amorim has begun the mind games against Arsenal, suggesting his side are ready to cause an upset after being labelled as underdogs.
With a new front three ready to get going, Amorim will hope his new additions can outgun the Gunners at Old Trafford.