Rúben Amorim is expected to start Benjamin Šeško as Manchester United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford for the opening weekend of the season.
After five pre-season fixtures across Sweden, the United States, and Old Trafford, Rúben Amorim’s Manchester United are set to begin their 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
The Reds earned victories against West Ham and Bournemouth, while draws with Leeds United, Everton, and Fiorentina ensured an unbeaten run. A penalty shootout triumph over Fiorentina also delivered the Snapdragon Cup.
Attention now shifts to Sunday, 17 August, when Arsenal come to Old Trafford for the opening weekend’s showcase match.
The contest is expected to see several debuts, with Benjamin Šeško, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo likely to feature for United, while Viktor Gyökeres, Martin Zubimendi, and Noni Madueke could make their first competitive outings for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Amorim may make three changes vs Arsenal
Although Altay Bayındır played in four of United’s five pre-season fixtures across the summer, André Onana has returned to full training and is expected to start in goal on Sunday afternoon.
In defence, Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire are expected to start on the right and centre of Amorim’s back three. However, “special” Ayden Heaven may be replaced on the side by Luke Shaw as the head coach continues to manage Heaven’s fitness.
As for the wing-backs, it’s expected that Amad and Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu will remain out wide, acting as Amorim’s widest players.
In midfield, there are also not expected to be any changes. Amorim has tended to pair Casemiro with Bruno Fernandes whenever the club captain plays a deeper role. With United still searching for a new midfield signing, the Brazilian could remain in the side against Arsenal.
As for the front three, it looks likely that Cunha, Mbeumo, and Šeško will all be handed their first competitive starts for the club.
Mbeumo and Cunha have looked as if they are ever-increasing their fitness and sharpness across pre-season, and Amorim confirmed that Šeško is physically fit to play from the start if needed.
With Joshua Zirkzee only just returning to training and Rasmus Højlund unlikely to feature due to increased speculation surrounding his future, it looks likely that the Slovenian will start for United against Arsenal.
United predicted XI vs Arsenal
Onana, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu, Mbeumo, Šeško, Cunha.
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