Manchester United is opening its season at Old Trafford, hosting Arsenal in the first round of the Premier League.
Facts
- Arsenal are unbeaten against Manchester United in the Premier League since a 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford in September 2022. Since then, they have won four out of five games.
- This is the fourth time these two will face off in the opening week.
- United manager Ruben Amorim has not won a game in the 90 minutes against Arsenal so far, drawing four and losing one.
Betting Tip: Manchester United - Arsenal
This is the headliner of the opening weekend of the Premier League. Manchester United have hope after several quality additions and solid preseason performances, while Arsenal have shiny transfers of their own, especially Gyokeres. Both possess attacking quality, and goals are to be expected.
- Recommendation: BTTS
- Odds: 1.69 (at the time of writing)
Manchester United
Manchester United experienced a season from hell in 2024/2025. It started with Erik Ten Hag at the helm until November, and, despite his replacement by Ruben Amorim, it was a catastrophe from start to finish.
United finished in 15th place, their worst since 1974 when they were relegated. They were unable to defend their FA Cup win and were knocked out early on, just like they were in the League Cup. They even squandered their final opportunity to salvage the season, losing the Europa League final to Spurs.
Things can only get better from here. Despite a shaky financial situation, United was able to add several quality players in this transfer window. Matheus Cunha (forward, Wolverhampton Wanderers), Mbeumo (forward, Brentford) and lately Sesko (striker, Leipzig) joined the club, offsetting the departures of Lindelof (central defender), Eriksen (central midfielder) and Rashford (forward).
Still, the team lacks reinforcements in midfield and defence, two areas where improvement is direly needed. Questions remain, but the early returns from the preseason were positive. The team remained unbeaten in five friendlies and won the Premier League Summer Series in the US, producing consistent attacking output.
Arsenal
Yet another season where Arsenal came close, but was not able to have a real shot at the title. Finishing 2nd for the third straight season, Mikel Arteta’s team had to overcome several injuries throughout 2025. They were also able to make it to the Champions League semi-finals, where they lost to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Fortunately for Arsenal, they are beginning the season with an improved squad and confidence. Arteta remains at the helm, and he has his attacking reinforcement in the form of Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon.
Just as important are the additions of Kepa (goalkeeper, Chelsea), Zubimendi (central midfielder, Real Sociedad), Norgaard (central midfielder, Brentford), Madueke (right winger, Chelsea), and Mosquera (central defender, Valencia), adding valuable depth to the squad.
Despite that, the preseason was a bit of a mixed bag. In five games between Asia and London, Arsenal won three and lost two. Attacking productivity was a positive, but Arteta’s team can be better on defence.
