Manchester United vs Arsenal predicted playing XI: In the most high-profile game of Matchday 1 of the new English Premier League season, Manchester United, coming off a dismal season, will take on three-time runner-up Arsenal in a clash of long-time rivals.
The 2025/26 season of the Premier League started this weekend. The first matches of the season were played on Saturday, August 16, while the rest will be played today, Sunday, August 17. In the biggest match of the weekend, the Red Devils will take on the Gunners in a battle of the giants, at least it used to be one.
United are coming off their worst season in the PL era. In 2024/25. They finished an appalling 15th in the league, were knocked out of the FA Cup and the EFL Cup before reaching Wembley, and lost to Tottenham Hotspur in the final of the UEFA Europa League to round off a terrible season.
On the other hand, Arsenal has been fingertips away from a league title for a few seasons now. In 2024/25, they finished third in the PL for a third season in a row and even reached the UEFA Champions League semi-final before losing to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Check Out: Manchester United vs Arsenal predicted playing XI
Both these sides have made big changes in their squad in order to improve; while United needs to work on almost their entire output on the field, the London-based club needs to make a few changes to challenge for the league once more, or even win it this time around.
The Old Trafford team has brought in a few big guns, with RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko being their biggest acquisition for a reported fee of 85 million euros. Couple that with other big signings like winger Bryan Mbuemo from Brentford and striker Mattheus Cunha from Wolves, and they have clearly strengthened their attack. The return of the injured defender Leny Yoro is also a boon.
Meanwhile, in the most talked-about transfer of this window, Arsenal signed Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres. They also brought in explosive winger Noni Madueke from Chelsea and defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
Manchester United vs Arsenal predicted playing XI
As for their predicted playing XI, both sides will keep a similar structure from last season, with a few new signings sprinkled in. United manager Ruben Amorim is expected to make more changes than Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta. So, here is the Manchester United vs Arsenal predicted playing XI for Matchday 1.
Manchester United Predicted Playing XI: Andre Onana, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Diego Dalot, Luke Shaw, Amad Diallo, Patrick Dorgu, Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbuemo, Mattheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko.
Arsenal Predicted Playing XI: David Raya, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, William Saliba, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyokeres.
The Arsenal vs Manchester United match will be played at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England. It will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network at 9:00 pm IST (4:30 pm local time) on Sunday, August 17.
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