Manchester United host Arsenal in season opener with revamped attack

Manchester United host Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday to kick off the 2025-26 Premier League season, a highly anticipated meeting between two of English football’s biggest clubs that doubles as a test for their respective new-era plans. United have reshaped their attack with three fresh forwards—Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko—while Arsenal have pursued a broader rejuvenation, signing Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi and reloading the squad with other additions. The game is set to be a meaningful early indicator of whether United’s revamped forward line and Arteta’s reinforced attack can translate into tangible progress for Arsenal after consecutive runner-up finishes.

At United, the tactical setup remains anchored in the 3-4-2-1/3-4-1-2 approach favored in preseason, with Bruno Fernandes operating in a deeper midfield role to thread passes to Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko in support of the central forward. The club continues to contend with defensive concerns and an unsettled goalkeeping situation as Andre Onana has been sidelined during parts of the buildup, raising questions about who will start between the posts once competitive fixtures begin. Reports...