Manchester United XI vs Arsenal XI: Confirmed Team News, Predicted Starting Lineup
- Manchester United vs Arsenal will mark a thrilling start to the 2025/26 Premier League season, with both teams showcasing five new signings
- Ruben Amorim aims to revive the team with debuting striker Benjamin Sesko, though injuries to Noussair Mazraoui and Lisandro Martinez may force tactical adjustments
- Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta could start new signing Viktor Gyokeres alongside Kai Havertz, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli leading the attack
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Manchester United welcome arch rivals Arsenal to Old Trafford as both teams kickstart their 2025/26 Premier League season against each other.
Desperate to charge for this season's title, both teams boast five new signings each as they hope for an improved team.
For Manchester United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, the additions should help to reshape the squad and spark a revival after a lacklustre campaign.
Source: Getty Images
Arsenal’s coach Mikel Arteta will hope to go one notch further of last season's performance as the Gunners continue to chase a long-awaited title
Manchester United team news
New Manchester United signing Benjamin Sesko could make his debut when the Red Devils take on Arsenal in a Premier League clash on Sunday, August 17.
The 22-year-old, who moved to the Old Trafford outfit from RB Leipzig for up to £73.7 million with performance add-ons, trained with his new teammates ahead of the fixture
Manager Ruben Amorim confirmed Sesko’s readiness, praising his physical condition and intelligence, though his starting role remains uncertain due to limited recent game time since a substitute appearance in Leipzig’s pre-season win over Toulouse in late July, per Manchester Evening News.
talkSPORT reports that should he start on the bench, Mason Mount could see increased minutes, potentially in an advanced midfield role or as a false nine alongside summer signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils will be without Noussair Mazraoui and Lisandro Martinez due to injuries, while Andre Onana and Joshua Zirkzee, who sat out pre-season, are now available.
Head coach Ruben Amorim’s likely back three includes Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire, with Amad Diallo and Patrick Dorgu as wing-backs.
Despite wanting captain Bruno Fernandes closer to the goal, the tactician may deploy him deeper alongside Casemiro due to limited midfield options.
Arsenal team news
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s new signing Viktor Gyokeres is set to make his Premier League debut as the Gunners face Manchester United in the mouth-watering fixture.
Head coach Mikel Arteta must decide whether to start the Swede or rely on last season’s striker Kai Havertz, with the possibility of both playing together.
Bukayo Saka is a guaranteed starter on the right wing, while Gabriel Martinelli, who is coming off a strong performance against Athletic Club, is likely to start on the left.
In midfield, Martin Zubimendi is integrating well alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
Source: Getty Images
David Raya will start in goal and will be supported by centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel, per Standard.
The full-back roles see competition, with Ben White likely edging out Jurrien Timber on the right due to more pre-season minutes, while Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly vie for the left-back spot.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Mount; Cunha.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Goalkeeper breaks EPL's new rule
Legit.ng earlier reported that Martin Dubravka became the first victim of a new Premier League rule.
Making his debut against Tottenham on Saturday, August 16, the Slovakian was the first goalkeeper penalised under the new eight-second rule.
Source: Legit.ng
