Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
In what is a heavyweight opening weekend showdown on Sunday afternoon, Manchester United will welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, while Manchester United might take plenty of positives away from their summer preparations, it is no secret that Ruben Amorim still has a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders at Old Trafford. Along with suffering Europa League heartbreak over in Bilbao on May 21st, the Red Devils broke a string of unwanted domestic records. Limping their way to what was an infamous 15th-place finish last season, the former Sporting Lisbon boss has failed to make any real impact since arriving at Old Trafford back in November. Despite signing off the 2024/25 campaign with a 2-0 victory against Aston Villa on May 25th, Amorim’s side gained a reputation for their issues on home. Along with winning just a trio of their final 12 Premier League showdowns at Old Trafford, they have also failed to register consecutive top-flight wins in Manchester so far this calendar year.
Manchester United Team News
Expected to complete a move away from Old Trafford before the summer transfer window slams shut, Alejandro Garnacho is not expected to be part of Amorim’s squad here. Not making a single appearance during United’s summer preparations, Joshua Zirkzee faces a real race against the clock.
Officially completing a big-money move from RB Leipzig last week, new recruit Benjamin Sesko will make his Premier League debut this weekend. Despite coming under a huge amount of scrutiny last season, Andre Onana will start between the sticks on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal
As for the visitors, eventually falling 10 points adrift of eventual winners Liverpool last season as they had to settle for another silver medal finish, Arsenal finished the 2024/25 campaign without a single piece of silverware to show for their troubles. With Mikel Arteta making it clear that a first Premier League crown since 2004 is his number one priority this year, the Gunners will be desperate to open proceedings with a heavyweight scalp at Old Trafford. Suffering just a single domestic defeat outside of north London over the past nine months, Arsenal will also be excited by an eye-catching record against their historic foes. Despite watching their FA Cup adventure come to a shock end back in January, they have registered 13 points from their last five Premier League showdowns against Manchester United.
Arsenal Team News
Still dealing with a long-term knee injury and failing to make any appearance over the summer, Arsenal will once again be without ex-Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus. However, the Gunners are hopeful that Belgium international Leandro Trossard will be able to play some part.
Completing a blockbuster and long-awaited move to north London last month, former Sporting Lisbon talisman Viktor Gyokeres will make his Premier League debut here and should lead the line. Likewise, fellow new recruit Martin Zubimendi will start in the middle of the park and partner England international Declan Rice.
Manchester United vs Arsenal Key Factors to Consider
- Despite their FA Cup exit back in January, Arsenal have registered 13 points from their previous five Premier League meetings against Manchester United.
- The Red Devils registered just three wins from any of their final 12 Premier League matchups at Old Trafford last season.
- The Gunners mustered just a single clean sheet from any of their final seven appearances across all competitions last season.
- Man United have registered just a pair of domestic clean sheets at Old Trafford since the start of December.
- 10 of the last 12 meetings between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
With all eyes falling on Old Trafford this weekend, we look set for what is a heavyweight opening weekend showdown on Sunday afternoon. Watching Arsenal register 13 points from their last five Premier League meetings against their historic rivals, neutrals will be hoping for an early thriller here. With the Gunners mustering just a single clean sheet from any of their final seven matchups across all competitions last season, Sunday’s opponents do have a habit of producing fireworks when they meet. In fact, with 10 of their last 12 meetings at Old Trafford finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome here.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
