MU vs Arsenal Prediction, 10:30 p.m. August 17: The Great Battle Begins

TPO - Football prediction MU vs Arsenal, round 1 Premier League 2025/26, at 10:30 p.m. on August 17 - Information on the force, expected lineup, match score prediction. The "Red Devils" are aiming for a smooth start under Ruben Amorim, while the "Gunners" are determined to break the runner-up streak to begin their journey to conquer the throne.

Pre-match review

MU's absence from the European arena this season could become an advantage domestically, as coach Amorim and his players only focus on the Premier League.

With Bruno Fernandes rejecting a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia and a refreshed attack, the 20-time English champions have found some balance in pre-season, going unbeaten in five friendlies and winning the Premier League Summer Series.

Draws against Leeds United, Everton and Fiorentina, however, make the wins against West Ham and Bournemouth less impressive. But at least they are back-to-back wins, something United have failed to do in the entire 2024/25 Premier League season.

However, the “Red Devils” still enter the new season with a historic advantage: they are the team that has won the most opening matches of the Premier League (22 matches). If they defeat Arsenal, MU will set a significant milestone by becoming the first team in history to defeat the “Gunners” 100 times in all competitions.

Meanwhile, the Gunners ended their summer friendlies with a fine performance, defeating Athletic Bilbao 3-0 to retain the Emirates Cup. Viktor Gyokeres scored his first goal for Arsenal in the win. New signing Martin Zubimendi also made his mark with an assist, before Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz scored in turn, concluding a convincing victory.

Previous defeats to Tottenham and Villarreal showed a familiar creative stalemate. But with their strongest line-up and a midfield trio operating smoothly, Arsenal easily overwhelmed Bilbao.

Once derided as “fourth-rate specialists”, Arsenal are now “cursed as runners-up” for three consecutive seasons. With Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea all spending big, experts are expecting a tense four-way championship race.

But that is months away, Arsenal's immediate task is to win their opening Premier League game for the fourth consecutive season. Old Trafford is not an impregnable fortress, with Arsenal having scored in 11 consecutive Premier League games here, and the last time they failed to score at Old Trafford was in 2013.

Force information

MU will be without midfielder Lisandro Martinez and goalkeeper Andre Onana due to injury. Noussair Mazraoui's ability to play is still uncertain. Newcomers such as Mbeumo, Cunha or Sesko may play in the first match of the new season.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will be without Gabriel Jesus as he is recovering from a knee injury. Coach Mikel Arteta will have to consider whether to use new signing Gyokeres or continue to use Havertz in the top position in attack.

Expected lineup:

MU (3-4-2-1): Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Maguire; Diallo, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko.

Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.

Score prediction: MU 0-1 Arsenal

Source: https://tienphong.vn/nhan-dinh-mu-vs-arsenal-22h30-ngay-178-dai-chien-mo-man-post1769974.tpo