Manchester United host Arsenal to kick off the 2025/26 Premier League season in a high-profile clash at Old Trafford on Sunday, 4.30pm UK time. It’s a landmark occasion as United begin their 100th consecutive top-flight campaign, and both clubs are chasing a fresh feel after a busy summer of arrivals.
A fresh start for United after a difficult season
Last season proved a test for United, finishing 15th in the table with 42 points—their lowest tally in decades. The campaign also brought a run of underwhelming results at home and a Europa League final setback to a Tottenham side that finished below them in the league. The aim this term has been clear: reboot the attack and restore consistency.
The rebuilding drive has seen United invest heavily, including the arrivals of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, Bryan Mbuemo from Brentford, and Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, plus defender Diego Leon from Paraguay as a newAge addition to strengthen the squad. In departure news, Marcus Rashford has gone on loan to Barcelona, while veteran pair Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof have left the club. A five-game unbeaten pre-season has offered a glimmer of momentum, with wins over Bournemouth and West Ham and draws against Leeds, Everton and Fiorentina.
Arsenal arrive with a renewed mood following a productive pre-season
Arteta’s Arsenal have been quick to stress how the squad has evolved in the close season. The Spaniard spoke of a productive build and a squad that is ready to take on the challenges, insisting United will be stronger with their own summer additions and that the fixture will be a real test for both sides. Ruben Amorim’s side, meanwhile, emphasise a steady, step-by-step improvement as they adapt to higher demands, with the coach saying he is focused on day-to-day progress rather than grand projections.
Key team news ahead of kick-off
Arsenal could welcome back Leandro Trossard after a minor knock, though he remains a doubt for the start after limping out of the Hong Kong friendly against Tottenham. Gabriel, Jurrien Timber and William Saliba have all returned to action during the summer friendlies, leaving Gabriel Jesus as the main long-term injury concern as he continues rehab from ACL surgery.
New arrivals Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres, both previously successful under Amorim at Sporting Lisbon, are fit and could be thrust into the XI alongside Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga. For United, questions persist over the fitness of Andre Onana and Joshua Zirkzee, who have missed pre-season with muscle injuries and are doubtful for Sunday, likely paving the way for Altay Bayindir to start in goal. Noussair Mazraoui is out with a hamstring issue, while Lisandro Martinez remains sidelined with a knee problem.
A tactical frame for the encounter
The battle on Sunday is tipped to feature a back five or back three shape from Arsenal, who will look to exploit space on the flanks and test United’s central areas. Gyokeres, Cunha and Mbeumo bring a mixture of physical presence, pace and finishing ability that could trouble Arsenal’s defensive setup. In midfield, the task will be to shield the backline while providing service to the forwards, with closing down of United’s threat from distance highlighted as a priority given the goals-from-distance danger posed by Fernandes, Cunha, Sesko and Mbeumo.
For Arsenal, the emphasis will be on discipline and precision in possession, with the need to balance attacking ambition with defensive solidity. The opening-day clash is seen as a test of whether Amorim’s plans have translated into a coherent system capable of putting United under sustained pressure.
Facts, stats and match context
– United have lost just two of their last 14 Premier League games against Arsenal (W8 D4), and have gone unbeaten in the last five meetings (W4 D1).
– United have won 99 of their 243 meetings with Arsenal in all competitions (D55 L89). They would be the first team to beat Arsenal 100 times.
– This is the sixth time the clubs have opened a top-flight campaign against each other (two wins each and a draw), the last time coming in 1989/90.
– United will start a Premier League campaign at home for the ninth successive season—the longest such run in English top flight history.
– Arsenal have won their opening league game in five of the last six seasons, including the last three.
– Since the start of 2022/23, United have not lost a single Premier League game in August, winning all four away matches and keeping clean sheets in the process.
– New signings Cunha and Mbeumo were among the league’s top performers for outperforming xG last season; Sesko also featured prominently in the attack.
– Gyokeres has a habit of scoring on the opening day across recent campaigns, while Saka could become only the second Arsenal player to score on MD1 in three consecutive seasons if he finds the net.
Match officials and broadcast
Simon Hooper will officiate the season-opening game, with assistants Adrian Holmes and Simon Long, fourth official Jarred Gillett, and VAR Paul Tierney with Steve Meredith as assistant VAR. Hooper had a solid last season with a mix of results across United fixtures, and is set to oversee the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
Recent trips to Old Trafford offer a glimmer of optimism for Arsenal supporters, with Arsenal avoiding defeat in five of their last seven visits and scoring in each of their last 11 league visits there. The most recent meetings included a 1-1 draw in March and a 1-0 Arsenal win in May 2024, with several past Old Trafford results featuring tight, 1-0 scorelines.
Live coverage
Live From N5 will provide live commentary for United’s home fixtures across 2025/26. Dan Roebuck and Adrian Clarke will guide listeners through kick-off and the on-field action, while fans can check local listings to find where the match is shown globally.
What to watch and why it matters
– How United’s new attacking trio of Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko gel with the rest of the forward line and midfield.
– Arsenal’s ability to press high and disrupt United’s buildup in midfield and at the back.
– The impact of injured or returning players, notably Onana, Zirkzee and Martinez for United, and Jesus for Arsenal.
– Early-season form against a top opponent and how it translates to confidence for the rest of the fixture list.
Outlook
This season-opening clash sets a tone for both clubs as they look to rebound from last season’s disappointments. United’s new-look attack has potential to cause problems for Arsenal’s central defenders, while Arsenal’s structured approach and depth could pose questions for United’s backline. Expect a tightly contested affair with moments of quality in the final third and a strong emphasis on tactical discipline.
Additional notes for readers
– Look for live updates and post-match analysis on our site after the game, including tactical breakdowns of formations, key chances, and standout performances.
– Readers may also want to track how the respective managers deploy their lineups and adapt to in-game situations, as these early-season fixtures often reveal the foundations of how teams intend to approach the campaign.
Summary
A landmark season opener pits two title-chasing teams in a fixture with a history of tight, high-stakes battles. With fresh faces, renewed purpose, and the pressure of living up to lofty expectations, this match is poised to offer a decisive early signal of which direction the 2025/26 season may take for United and Arsenal.