Six players could miss Man Utd vs Arsenal as Premier League season gets underway

Manchester United's meeting with Arsenal is the headline clash on the Premier League's opening weekend but up to six players could miss the contest at Old Trafford with the hosts sweating on the fitness of Andre Onana.

The goalkeeper has been missing throughout pre-seasonand has long been in a race against time to get back for the first game of the season. A hamstring issue has sidelined him, leaving Altay Bayindir to step in during the interim period.

The Turkish shotstopper may have to continue against the Gunners, the team he performed heroics against in an FA Cup final win last year. But earlier this month Onana issued a positive update and suggested he could play. He said: “I feel good, I feel great. It’s been a few difficult weeks, but yeah, hopefully, I will be back for the start of the season.”

Ruben Amorim stands to be without several members of his defensive unit with Lisandro Martinez still injured. The Argentine has struggled for fitness for some time and whilst he travelled to the US for pre-season, no timeframe is given on his return.

Noussair Mazraoui hasn't been pictured in training for some time after being forced off at half-time during United’s pre-season opener against Leeds in Stockholm last month. His injury has not been specified but his lack of appearance does not spell good news.

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Joshua Zirkzee, one player who has been linked with a move away from Manchester amid all the new faces in attack, is touch and go to play against the Gunners. The Dutchman claimed in July that he was targeting his return for the opening game.

Arsenal meanwhile, who drew this fixture last season, will want to get off to the best possible start with Mikel Arteta's side potentially including a number of their new recruits. Viktor Gyokeres is likely to lead the line, which is a plus given Gabriel Jesus remains sidelined with a serious knee injury.

The Brazilian has been out since the early part of 2025 and it meant Arsenal were struggling for players to spearhead their attack, motivating their pursuit of Gyokeres. Leandro Trossard is one player who has done that when required but the Belgian too is struggling for fitness.

He was absent from the squad on Saturday as Arsenal beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in their final pre-season friendly, but Arteta is quietly confident he could him available. “He had a little niggle in the groin - but he should be fine," said the Arsenal boss.

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