Man Utd vs Arsenal Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here to join the official TSZ FPL mini-league or join using the code 'xevugs'
We have a stellar opening day clash taking place at Old Trafford this weekend as Manchester United face rivals Arsenal as both sides seek to get off the mark.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – NBC
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Peacock & Telemundo
Man Utd preview: Improvement required
Manchester United were humiliating last season, and they finished it off by losing the UEFA Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur at the San Mames in Bilbao, and the Red Devils will require an enormous improvement this season.
There have been signs of improvement and added cohesion and patterns of play in their pre-season matches, with the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo also offering much more cutting edge and proven quality in the final third of the pitch.
Arsenal preview: Gunning for more
Mikel Arteta has been granted yet another hefty summer transfer window budget, with the Gunners expected to once again mount a title challenge in the Premier League, and they finally now have the striker in place with the signing of Viktor Gyokeres.
As well as the big money addition of Gyokeres from Sporting CP, the Gunners have also added goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, defender Cristhian Mosquera, midfielders Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi, as well as winger Noni Madueke.
Man Utd team news: Attacking debutants
It has been confirmed that only Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui are the definite absentees from the United squad for the opening day of the season.
Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Benjamin Sesko is physically fit to start, whilst Andre Onana and Joshua Zirkzee returned to training this week after missing pre-season.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko
Unavailable: Martinez (Injured), Mazraoui (Injured)
Questionable: Onana (Fitness), Zirkzee (Fitness)
Arsenal team news: Possible debutants
In his pre-match press conference, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Leandro Trossard will be available to travel up to Manchester, but Gabriel Jesus remains sidelined.
The Gunners could hand competitive debuts from the start to midfielder Martin Zubimendi as well as star striker signing Viktor Gyokeres.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Unavailable: Jesus (Injured)
Questionable: Trossard (Injured)
Man Utd vs Arsenal prediction
Manchester United are expected to, and are demanded to, have a much-improved campaign. Things have begun to look up for Ruben Amorim and the Red Devils over the summer and the home crowd should roar them on to at least a reasonable and competent performance against an Arsenal side that may well take time to find the right patterns of play for their new star striker up-front. As a result, siding with United at Old Trafford represents a good value bet.
Man Utd vs Arsenal tip: Double chance – Man Utd to win or draw
