We preview Sunday’s Premier League showdown at Old Trafford with our Manchester United vs Arsenal prediction. Can Mikel Arteta celebrate his 200th top-flight match as Gunners boss with a win?
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Manchester United vs Arsenal: Preview
During the era of Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger, Manchester United vs Arsenal was the Premier League’s defining rivalry. Who could forget Roy Keane’s fiery tunnel clash with Patrick Vieira at Highbury or Martin Keown’s intense confrontation with Ruud van Nistelrooy?
In recent years, however, the gap between the two clubs has widened. Once fierce title contenders, their paths have diverged—while Mikel Arteta has kept Arsenal competing at the top, United have largely battled for Champions League qualification. The Gunners may head into the weekend 13 points behind league leaders Liverpool, but they have shown greater consistency under Arteta. Meanwhile, United, despite struggling for stability, have won two trophies in the last two years—something Arsenal have failed to do.
Since Arteta’s appointment in December 2019, Arsenal have enjoyed a level of continuity United can only envy. In the same period, United have cycled through three permanent managers—Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag, and now Ruben Amorim—along with Ralf Rangnick’s interim stint in 2021-22.
Sunday’s showdown at Old Trafford fittingly underscores the contrast between the two clubs, as Arteta reaches a significant milestone: his 200th Premier League game in charge.
Arteta is set to become the 14th manager to oversee 200 Premier League games for a single club and the 39th overall to reach the milestone.
At 42 years and 348 days old, he will be the second-youngest to achieve this feat, behind only Roberto Martínez (41 years, 111 days). He also joins an elite group of Spanish managers to hit the 200-game mark, following Martínez (265), Pep Guardiola (331), and Rafael Benítez (359).
With 118 wins from his first 199 league matches, Arteta ranks fifth in victories at this stage of a Premier League managerial career—trailing only Guardiola (146), José Mourinho (137), Jürgen Klopp (127), and Alex Ferguson (122).
While Arsenal’s long-awaited league title remains elusive, they came agonizingly close in 2023-24 and led for much of 2022-23 before being overtaken by Guardiola’s relentless Manchester City side.
Arteta boasts the highest win percentage (59%) of any Arsenal manager in Premier League history and shares the best points-per-game average (1.96) with Arsène Wenger. His team has averaged 1.89 goals per game in the league, narrowly edging out Wenger’s 1.88.
His record against Manchester United is particularly impressive—winning seven of his 10 Premier League encounters (D1 L2), including his first-ever victory as Arsenal boss (2-0 in January 2020). Among all managers to face United at least five times in the competition, Arteta holds the highest win rate (70%).
Arsenal have hit a rough patch in the league at a crucial time. A defeat to West Ham followed by a draw with Nottingham Forest has left them trailing in the title race, with their growing injury crisis taking its toll.
The Gunners have also struggled in front of goal, failing to score in their last two Premier League outings while managing just three shots on target across both games. The last time they went three consecutive league matches without scoring was in August 2021, and the last instance of this happening while sitting in the top two of the table was back in November 2000.
However, Arsenal responded in dominant fashion in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, demolishing PSV 7-1 in Eindhoven—virtually sealing their place in the quarter-finals.
Manchester United may have returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town, but their momentum was short-lived as they suffered an FA Cup exit to Fulham on penalties.
Their struggles continued in Europe, managing only a 1-1 draw away to Real Sociedad in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday. Despite the hosts posing little attacking threat, United conceded an equalizer when Bruno Fernandes handled in the box, allowing Mikel Oyarzabal to cancel out Joshua Zirkzee’s well-worked opener.
Given their depleted squad—missing nine first-team players—a draw wasn’t the worst outcome. However, their injury woes persist, with only Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte potentially returning in time for Sunday’s clash.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are also dealing with absentees, including key players like Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus. Nevertheless, their squad remains in far better shape than their hosts heading into this crucial fixture.
Manchester United vs Arsenal: Head-to-head
Manchester United have lost their last four Premier League encounters with Arsenal, marking their longest-ever losing streak against the Gunners in league history.
Arsenal edged out a 1-0 victory in this fixture last season, but they haven’t won back-to-back league games at Old Trafford since February 1979.
Leandro Trossard was the match-winner for the Gunners in that clash, and if he finds the net again, he will join Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2019-20, 2020-21) and Emmanuel Adebayor (2006-07, 2007-08) as the only Arsenal players to score in consecutive Premier League seasons at Old Trafford.
Arsenal have been consistent scorers at the venue, netting in each of their last 10 league visits (13 goals), a stark contrast to their earlier struggles—managing to score in just 10 of their first 22 Premier League trips to Old Trafford (11 goals).
However, if United secure a victory, it will mark their 100th win against Arsenal in all competitions. The Gunners have suffered more defeats against United (99) than any other opponent, while the Red Devils have only beaten Aston Villa more times (106).
Manchester United vs Arsenal: Team News and Predicted XI
Manchester United – Team News
Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Chido Odi is in contention to feature against his former club, Arsenal, at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Odi was unavailable for Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad as he is not registered for the Europa League, but he is now pushing for a starting spot ahead of the under-fire Rasmus Højlund.
The 17-year-old striker made the switch from Arsenal to Manchester United last summer.
“Everybody can start,” Amorim said ahead of the Arsenal clash. “If they train on Friday and played on Thursday, they can be ready. Chido is on the list, so he is an option.”
“We are assessing the players to see who is fresh and who is at risk of injury. We have to take some risks, but we need to be competitive on Sunday.”
Meanwhile, Patrick Dorgu will serve the second match of his three-game domestic suspension following his red card in the win over Ipswich.
Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte, who missed the midweek draw with Real Sociedad, remain doubtful.
United are also unlikely to welcome back any of their other injured players, meaning Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Altay Bayindir, Lisandro Martínez, Amad Diallo, Tom Heaton, Jonny Evans, and Kobbie Mainoo are all expected to remain sidelined.
Manchester United – Predicted XI (3-4-2-1)
- Goalkeeper: Onana
- Defenders: De Ligt, Lindelof, Yoro
- Midfielders: Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot
- Forwards: Garnacho, Zirkzee, Hojlund
Arsenal – Team News
Mikel Arteta could stick with the same Arsenal lineup that dismantled PSV Eindhoven when the Gunners take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Arsenal made history on Tuesday by becoming the first team to score seven goals in an away knockout match in the Champions League, securing a dominant 7-1 victory in the Netherlands.
While Arteta may rotate his squad for the second leg of the last-16 tie next week, he is expected to field a strong side against United.
The Arsenal boss has no fresh injury concerns from the PSV win and could opt for an unchanged XI.
If any adjustments are made, the defense is the most likely area for rotation.
Riccardo Calafiori, who impressed off the bench against PSV, could replace Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back.
Ben White, yet to start a match since returning from injury last month, is another option at right-back in place of Jurrien Timber. However, Arsenal have been managing White’s minutes carefully after his knee surgery in November, meaning he may remain on the bench.
The Gunners remain short on attacking options, with four forwards sidelined due to injury.
Mikel Merino is expected to continue as a makeshift No. 9 for the fourth consecutive game, having scored three goals in four appearances since being deployed in the role.
Arsenal – Predicted XI (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper: Raya
- Defenders: Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori
- Midfielders: Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice
- Forwards: Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard
Manchester United vs Arsenal: Prediction
United have shown they can rise to the occasion against top sides this season, but with so many key absentees, that may not be enough to trouble Arsenal.
The Gunners were clinical in midweek, and there’s little reason to believe they won’t be just as ruthless at Old Trafford.
Following two lackluster league outings and an electrifying Champions League performance, predicting which Arsenal attack will turn up is no easy task. However, a defensively focused United won’t allow them the same freedom PSV did.
That said, the hosts have had two fewer days to recover, limited squad depth, and an out-of-form strike force that will struggle against the dominant pairing of Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba. With that in mind, another Arsenal victory and a clean sheet seem inevitable.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0
When and Where to Watch the Manchester United vs Arsenal? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The highly anticipated Premier League clash between Manchester United and Arsenal is set for Sunday, March 9, at the Old Trafford Stadium, kicking off at 10 pm. (IST). The match will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network for TV viewers, while online streaming will be available on JioHotstar, allowing fans to follow the high-stakes game on their preferred device. With a thrilling encounter anticipated at the Etihad stadium, supporters won’t want to miss a moment of this Premier League showdown.
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FAQs
How many Premier League games has Mikel Arteta managed for Arsenal?
Arteta will oversee his 200th Premier League game for Arsenal, making him the 14th manager to reach this milestone with a single club.
What is Arteta’s record against Manchester United in the Premier League?
Arteta has won seven of his 10 league meetings against United, giving him the highest win rate (70%) of any manager to face them at least five times.
What is Arsenal’s recent form ahead of their clash with Manchester United?
The Gunners struggled in the league with a loss to West Ham and a draw with Nottingham Forest but bounced back with a record-breaking 7-1 win over PSV in the Champions League.
Which key players will be missing for Manchester United against Arsenal?
United remain without Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Lisandro Martínez, Amad Diallo, and several others, though Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte could return.
What is the predicted score for Manchester United vs Arsenal?
Given Arsenal’s superior squad depth and United’s injury woes, a 2-0 win for the Gunners seems the most likely outcome.
