𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Perhaps a bit of tongue-in-cheek from former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, but he believes Arsenal’s Premier League opener at Old Trafford is already a “six-pointer” if the Gunners are to mount a title challenge.

He told Sky Sports: “If Arsenal are talking about winning the league – Liverpool and Man City have already put down markers, scoring four goals. It’s already a six-pointer on the opening weekend.”

Ruben Amorim has avoided immediate comparisons between Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko by benching his new striker.

Sesko arrived too late to feature in Manchester United’s pre-season games so it isn’t a complete shock but it could mean United’s season starts with Mason Mount playing as a false nine, unless either Bryan Mbeumo or Matheus Cunha leads the line.

There is no Andre Onana in goal, either, so Altay Bayindir is in goal. Arsenal’s team is more as expected. The main decisions may have come at full-back with Ben White preferred to Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori in ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Arsenal’s new No 9 leads the line as Viktor Gyokeres starts at Old Trafford. It’s as expected elsewhere, apart from maybe at left back as Riccardo Calafiori starts ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Martin Zubimendi makes his Premier League debut alongside Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice in midfield.

Benjamin Sesko begins on the bench but Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha start in Manchester United’s new-look front line.

Mason Mount joins Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in midfield, while Andre Onana is not involved due to injury, so Altay Bayindir starts in goal.

There is no Rasmus Hojlund in the squad.

Manchester United XI: Bayındir, Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw, Dorgu, Dalot, Casemiro, Mount, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo.

Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafirori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli

We’ll have the official line-ups in the next few minutes. We’re expecting to see both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres make their first Premier League starts for Manchester United and Arsenal respectively, but what other new faces could feature?

Man United v Arsenal headlines the Sunday action in the Premier League on 17 August at Old Trafford, with kick-off set for 4:30pm BST.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, coverage on both channels starts at 4pm BST, following Chelsea v Crystal Palace. A live stream will be available via NOW TV and Sky Go for subscribers as well.

Manchester United battle Arsenal in the big game of the opening weekend of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

Title challengers Arsenal hope to finally get over the line under Mikel Arteta, with Viktor Gyokeres tipped to be the “perfect match” after his £64m move from Sporting CP.

While Ruben Amorim is in desperate need of results after a dismal debut campaign and an entirely new front three, in the shape of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, could accelerate the side’s development.

Martin Zubimendi adds class to the Gunners’ midfield, too, with Noni Madueke offering another wide option to bring further depth.