CITY, Aug. 17, 2025 — The 2025/26 Premier League season kicks off Sunday at 4:30 p.m. UK with a blockbuster matchup as Manchester United hosts its familiar rival. This opener also marks a significant milestone, as the visiting team embarks on its 100th consecutive top-flight campaign.
Red Devils Undergoing Major Overhaul
Table of Contents
- Red Devils Undergoing Major Overhaul
- Arsenal reach 100 consecutive top-flight seasons
- Every word from Mikel’s pre-Man United presser
- Arsenal transfers: All the ins and outs in 2025/26
- Arsenal Analysed: Things we spotted this summer
- Stats: How successful are we on the opening day?
- What’s new in the Premier League in 2025/26?
- Relive six classic away wins at Manchester United
- How to watch Manchester United v Arsenal on TV
Last season was a brutal one for Manchester United. A 15th-place finish tied their lowest since 1989/90, and their 42 points were their worst tally since 1974. They struggled to string together wins and posted a losing record at Old Trafford. To cap off a dismal year, they fell in the Europa League final to a Tottenham side that finished below them.
Manager Ruben Amorim has overseen a significant rebuilding effort, splashing out an estimated £200 million. The arrivals of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, and Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig aim to revitalize an attack that managed only 44 league goals in 38 games. Young left-back Diego Leon has also joined from Paraguay.
Departures include Marcus Rashford, who has gone to Barcelona on loan, and veterans Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans, and Victor Lindelof, who have been released. The team enjoyed an unbeaten five-game preseason, securing wins against Bournemouth and West Ham United, and drawing with Leeds United, Everton, and Fiorentina.
- Manchester United hosts its rival to open the 2025/26 Premier League season.
- This match marks a century of consecutive top-flight seasons for the visiting club.
- United has invested heavily in new attacking talent, including Cunha, Mbeumo, and Sesko.
- The visiting team is on a 14-game unbeaten away run in the Premier League.
Managerial Perspectives
The visiting team’s manager, Mikel Arteta, expressed his anticipation: “I’m super excited, I can’t wait. It’s been a really productive pre-season. We’ve made such an evolution in the squad as well and we’re ready to go.” He added, “The mood of the place, the energy around it, the enthusiasm that the boys, the staff came with from day one, now we’re going to do better, to keep improving as a team and to win.”
Reflecting on the opposition, Arteta stated, “[United] will be different as well. The manager will have more time with them, they have a pre-season, they make some really good signings as well, like anybody else. I think they strengthened and they will be better than last year, like the rest of the teams.”
Amorim, meanwhile, offered a more measured outlook: “We cannot change everything in four weeks, but we are better. We are training harder and are more prepared to cope with the demands of the game. I’m really more confident, that is clear. Step by step, we will be a better team.” He emphasized his short-term focus, saying, “I learned a lot last season. I don’t need to focus on the future. That doesn’t matter and I don’t care. I need to live day by day.”
Team News Updates
Leandro Trossard is a doubt for the opener, having sustained a knock against Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong and missing subsequent friendlies. However, he hopes to train and be available. Gabriel, Jurrien Timber, and William Saliba have all returned to action, meaning Gabriel Jesus remains the only long-term absentee as he recovers from an ACL injury.
New signings Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres, who previously flourished under Amorim, are fit and could make their debuts. They are joined by Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, and Kepa Arrizabalaga as potential debutants.
For United, Andre Onana and Joshua Zirkzee are doubtful due to muscle injuries. Noussair Mazraoui (hamstring) and Lisandro Martinez (knee) are confirmed absentees. Altay Bayindir is likely to start in goal.
Tactical Considerations
Analysis suggests targeting the flanks against a potential three-man defense. Viktor Gyokeres could exploit channels, and isolating Bukayo Saka in one-on-one situations with early passes is a viable tactic. Balancing attacking intent with defensive solidity will be key, given the attacking prowess of Sesko, Mbeumo, and Cunha. Midfielders will need to screen effectively and provide cover during transitions.
Preventing shots from distance will be paramount, as Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha both scored five goals from outside the box last season. Sesko and Mbeumo are also threats from range. The expectation is for a positive approach, exploiting weaknesses in United’s midfield and defense.
Key Statistics and Records
The visiting team has lost only two of its last 14 Premier League encounters with Manchester United (W8 D4), remaining unbeaten in the last five (W4 D1). United holds a historical edge with 99 wins in 243 meetings across all competitions (D55 L89). This fixture marks the sixth time the two clubs have opened their top-flight seasons against each other.
Manchester United is starting a Premier League campaign at home for the ninth consecutive season, the longest such streak in English top-flight history. Conversely, the visitors have won their opening league game in five of the last six seasons, including the last three. They boast an impressive record in August, winning all four away matches since the start of the 2022/23 season without conceding.
New United signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha finished first and third, respectively, in outperforming their expected goals (xG) last season. Viktor Gyokeres has a knack for scoring on opening days, having done so in his last four campaigns. Bukayo Saka could join Thierry Henry as the only player to score on MD1 in three consecutive seasons for the club.
Match Officials
Simon Hooper will officiate the season opener. He refereed six matches last season, with the team winning four and drawing one of the league fixtures. His only previous match involving Manchester United saw them lose 2-0 at home. Hooper was noted for awarding the fewest average fouls per game among regularly used referees last season.
Referee: Simon Hooper
Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long
Fourth official: Jarred Gillett
VAR: Paul Tierney
Assistant VAR: Steve Meredith
Recent Visits to Old Trafford
Recent away form at Old Trafford has been strong, with the team avoiding defeat in five of the last seven visits. Goals have been scored in each of the last 11 league trips, a marked improvement from the first 22.
The March 2025 fixture ended 1-1, with Declan Rice scoring and David Raya making key saves. In May 2024, a 1-0 victory was secured by a goal from Trossard. Previous visits in September 2022 and December 2021 resulted in 3-1 and 3-2 defeats respectively. Notably, all five of the team’s Premier League victories at Old Trafford have been by a 1-0 scoreline.
Live Coverage Details
Live commentary for all first-team matches throughout the 2025/26 season will be available. Tune in just before kick-off on Sunday for live commentary from Dan Roebuck and Adrian Clarke. Information on broadcasters showing the match live worldwide can also be found.
