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Match Preview for Manchester United v Arsenal
What was once the fiercest rivalry in English football in the 1990s and 2000s is now just another fixture with Manchester United continuing to slide away from relevance at the top of the English game.
United go into the weekend in 14th place in the Premier League, 21 points behind second-placed Arsenal.
There is also an air of despondency around the club with on-field performances lurching from bad to worse and off-field headlines created by new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s unpopular cost-cutting measures which have seen two waves of redundancies.
United exited the FA Cup last weekend following a penalty shoot-out defeat to Fulham but did play better in Thursday night’s 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
They will have to go up another level further if they want to compete with an Arsenal side who need wins if they are to capitalise on any slip-up from leaders Liverpool.
Arne Slot’s men are 13 points clear but the Gunners have a game in hand.
Arsenal arrive at Old Trafford in buoyant mood after all but securing their place in the Champions League quarter-finals following a thumping 7-1 defeat of PSV Eindhoven in The Netherlands in midweek.
“It is about trying to replicate a great performance.” 👊
The boss on taking momentum into the weekend ⬇️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 7, 2025
Teenage winger Ethan Nwaneri was again the star and he will hope to terrorise a United defence that has not kept a clean sheet in seven.
Team News for Manchester United v Arsenal
United remain down to the bare bones and it is likely to be a similar squad that performed well in San Sebastián, bar Patrick Dorgu who serves the second of his three-game domestic suspension.
The only addition is teenage striker Chido Obi-Martin, who will be included after being ineligible for the midweek encounter. Obi-Martin and defender Ayden Heaven were both poached from Arsenal by United over the past six months.
Chido is an option for Sunday 👀
That’s what Ruben said, ahead of our meeting with Arsenal 👇#MUFC || #PL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 7, 2025
Arsenal will have young full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly available again after serving a one-match suspension having been sent off against West Ham.
It was Lewis-Skelly’s second red card of the season while he was also dragged off against PSV after just 35 minutes when on a yellow.
“I didn’t want to take any risks and be managing the game for so long, especially with how important the competition is,” Mikel Arteta said.
“It was quite clear that we had a liability there with the yellow card and the next [foul]. It’s a lesson to learn for him, for sure. We will support and help him.
“The line is really thin in sport and he needs to understand that. He is very intelligent and extremely demanding of himself. He is a perfectionist and he is here to learn.”
Predicted line-ups for Manchester United v Arsenal
Manchester United: Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Lindelof; Mazraoui, Dalot; Casemiro, Fernandes, Garnacho, Zirkzee; Hojlund
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Trossard, Merino
How to watch Manchester United v Arsenal: TV channel, online live stream
The game will be live on Sky Sports Main Event as part of Super Sunday. It kicks off at 4.30pm UK time.
It can be streamed on Sky Go.
Stats for Manchester United v Arsenal
- In 10 of the last 12 Manchester United home matches the total number of goals was over 2.5
- United have not beaten Arsenal in the league since a 3-1 win at Old Trafford in September 2022
- They did edge past them on penalties in the third round of the FA Cup in January, however
Prediction for Manchester United v Arsenal
Arsenal have a young, vibrant team with strength at the back and pace and creativity going forward.
It’s difficult to look past them at the weekend.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-3 Arsenal
