Gary Neville has made a bold prediction as to who will triumph as Manchester United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford on the opening week of the Premier League season.
After five pre-season outings across Sweden, the United States, and Old Trafford, Rúben Amorim’s Manchester United are prepared to kick off the 2025/26 Premier League season.
The Reds claimed victories over West Ham and Bournemouth, while draws with Leeds United, Everton, and Fiorentina ensured they remained unbeaten. A penalty shootout triumph against the Italian side sealed the Snapdragon Cup to cap off their summer preparations.
Attention now turns to Sunday, 17 August, when Arsenal make the trip to Old Trafford for the opening weekend’s headline clash.
The game is set to showcase a number of debuts, with Benjamin Šeško, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo expected to feature for United, while Viktor Gyökeres, Martin Zubimendi, and Noni Madueke are among those in line to appear for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Neville backs United to win
As always with the return of the Premier League predictions, fans, pundits, and all other surrounding football are racing to lock in their predictions for the forthcoming campaign, as well as the scores for the opening weekend of the season.
With United’s clash against Arsenal the blockbuster fixture for the return of the Premier League, and considering the number of debuts set to occur, it’s a tough one to call – but not for former United captain Gary Neville.
Speaking on his Stick to Football podcast, the ex-England international has backed his former club to secure one over Arsenal in a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
“We’re gonna win that one, I’m going with United,” Neville said.
“Do you know something? I just think it’s a really bad game for Arsenal to get first up. I think it’s a challenging game for Arsenal.
“It’ll be 2-1 United.”
The pressure is on Arsenal this weekend
After United’s 15th-placed finish last campaign, no one is expecting the club to have a perfect league season – everyone surrounding the club is well aware that while improvement is vital, there will be further bumps in the road.
However, after three second-placed finishes across the last three seasons, Arsenal’s aspirations are now focused on securing the Premier League title, meaning the pressure is on Arteta’s side this weekend.
Heading to Old Trafford and securing a win on the opening weekend of the season would be a massive statement of intent from the Gunners as they look to eclipse Manchester City and Liverpool finally, but at the same time, an immediate loss or underwhelming result against the side that finished 15th last season would set off immediate alarm bells.
While the tie is a home game for United and a good performance is pivotal to setting the tone for Amorim, the pressure to secure all three points is on the away side this weekend.
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