The first big match of the 2025-26 Premier League season will be played at Old Trafford, even though Manchester United has not been living up to its status as a “big” team in the English league for some time now, despite its trophy cabinet. The Red Devils are coming off one of their worst seasons ever, finishing in 15th place. They were unable to “sweeten the pill” with a Europa League victory, succumbing to Tottenham in an all-English final. In short, it was a complete disaster.
However, the club has confirmed Ruben Amorim, chosen last November to revive and bring new ideas to an environment that seems to be going through an endless ordeal despite the huge sums spent each year in the transfer market. Manchester has not skimped on spending this year either, although for the first time since the 2014-15 season, they will not be involved in any European competition.
Amorim with his new attacking trio
The restyling has mainly affected the attack: Mbeumo and Cunha have arrived, two players who have already proven themselves in the Premier League, as well as Slovenian star Sesko from Leipzig.
Manchester United have played numerous friendlies, the last one a week ago against Fiorentina (who they beat on penalties): the record is three wins and three draws. Arsenal, on the other hand, have not shone particularly brightly in pre-season: last weekend, the Gunners beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0, but in their two previous friendlies, they lost to Tottenham and Villarreal. After two second-place finishes that left a bitter taste in the mouth, Mikel Arteta’s side are determined to win the Premier League this year. To achieve this, the owners have splashed out to buy one of the most sought-after strikers, Sweden’s Viktor Gyokeres, who scored a barrage of goals in Portugal with Sporting CP. He will lead the Londoners’ attack after breaking his duck in the friendly against Bilbao. United will also field all their new signings, with Cunha and Mbeumo playing behind Sesko.
Odds comparison
Arsenal are priced at 2.00 to win on Lottomatica and Snai. The ‘Goal’ option is priced at 1.65 on Lottomatica and 1.63 on Snai.
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Prediction
Both teams have made important additions in the current transfer window and will be looking to perform well, with the aim of immediately gaining confidence in their own abilities. Arsenal, however, are not as much of a work in progress as Manchester United and should at least avoid defeat, taking advantage of Amorim’s still unresolved defensive problems.
Probable line-ups for Manchester United-Arsenal
MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-2-1): Onana; Yoro, de Ligt, Maguire; Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko.
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Gyokeres.