THE last time Manchester United hosted Arsenal at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of the season was way back in 1989. It was a game made famous by the club’s prospective new owner, Michael Knighton, juggling a ball on the pitch while a 4-1 victory over the Gunners was heralded as a new dawn for the Reds after years of underachievement. An expensive summer signing scored one of the goals.
Was a relatively new manager turning things around in Manchester? In the event no, or at least not yet. Finishing the campaign 13th, Sir Alex Ferguson survived by the skin of his teeth courtesy of a FA Cup triumph.
It’s hard to imagine Jim Ratcliffe playing keepy-uppy in the centre circle this Sunday, but that aside, there are distinct similarities 36 years on.
After a sustained period of struggle, a large amount of money has been spent ahead of a manager’s make or break campaign. Only here an FA Cup success won’t save Ruben Amorim. If United again inhabit the lower reaches of the table he will be long gone by the time the final rolls around come May.
To best nullify that threat, Amorim has focused all of his attention and his club’s resources, on revamping an underwhelming front-line this summer, to the tune of £194m. Benjamin Sesko has come in from Leipzig, a towering presence with the dexterity to drop deep and bring others into play, while around the 6ft 5 striker Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are all about progressive passes and ball carries, typically done at pace.
What these two players offer is far more than goals and assists, though a combined 49 goal involvements in the Premier League last term is a formidable tally. Cunha completed 61 successful dribbles in 2024/25 and scored the joint highest number of goals from outside the box (5). Mbeumo, meanwhile, made 1037 runs off the ball, nigh on 10% more than any other top-flight player. He covered the third most ground too, injecting constant energy and endeavour into Brentford’s attack.
On paper at least this trio should compliment one another nicely, providing plenty of problems for Arsenal’s rearguard to navigate, should all three start. On paper too, they perfectly fit Amorim’s offensive mandate, the Portuguese coach forced to seriously compromise on that last year.
It will be fascinating to see how they fare.
There is clear logic in Amorim putting all of his eggs at the front of his basket. A pitiful 44 goals converted last term was the lowest amount scored by United in the Premier League era while Rasmus Hojlund was so goal-shy it evoked as much sympathy as frustration from the Stretford End faithful. All told, it was 10 fewer than Wolves managed, who finished below them. It was 20 fewer than Spurs who skirted relegation.
Yet a defence that shipped in 1.4 goals per game remains untouched, as too does a midfield that was bypassed far too easily on countless occasions. When previewing Manchester United for the forthcoming season perhaps then it’s tempting to be distracted by their improved firepower and to a lesser extent on the flawed personnel still looking lost behind the cannon.
From Altay Bayindir in nets to a defence immune to consistency, issues remain and let’s not forget that the Reds kept only one clean sheet in 10 when facing fellow members of the traditional big six last season. The reasons behind that have not altered one jot.
All of which will be music to the ears of Arsenal, seeking their fourth consecutive opening day win and now bolstered by an elite centre-forward, of the ilk they’ve been short of, and coveting, for yonks.
If Sesko has the credentials to become the kind of highly impactful striker Amorim had at Sporting, Victor Gyokeres is that man, the prolific Swede bagging 29 Primeira Liga goals under the coach before adding a staggering 39 last season for good measure.
Is it an over-exaggeration to claim that how well – or otherwise – Goyokeres fits into Arsenal’s system will largely determine their title bid? It is, but not by much, and the early signs are positive for sure. In his opening couple of pre-season outings the 27-year-old has linked up smartly with Bukayo Saka on a couple of occasions and inevitably scored.
Yet, as far as Old Trafford this weekend is concerned, it is not the new striking sensation who should be backed, for all the attention that will be placed on him. Saka tends to start campaigns well – scoring in Arsenal’s last two opening fixtures – and moreover boasts four goal involvements in his last six encounters with United.
Gyokeres’ goal incidentally came against Athletic, and how the Gunners performed that afternoon has convinced me they will get a result up north.
Martin Zubimendi was superb, aided by Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in the middle, who also appeared ready. Mikel Arteta’s midfield looked complete, whereas United’s is still a signing short and in danger of again becoming a failed experiment. Their attack, meanwhile, looked on it, putting together clever combinations, while, as an added bonus, Ben White has enjoyed a decent pre-season, a player Arsenal have missed greatly.
Thirty-six years ago, United spanked the Gunners to open their account, a comprehensive victory that sparked a false new dawn. They may have to wait at least a week or two before they can delude themselves all over again.
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