Four key battles that could decide Man Utd vs Arsenal clash

Old Trafford will host the pick of the action in the Premier League’s opening weekend.

The Premier League fixture generator has thrown up an absolute treat in the first round of matches as two heavyweights of English football butt heads at Old Trafford.

Manchester United, looking to move on from last year’s nightmare campaign, have spent heavily this summer in a bid to bring themselves up to the dizzy heights of the Premier League standings usually occupied by Arsenal.

The Gunners will be licking their lips at the idea of adding to their fierce rivals’ misery with a result which would provide real momentum as they seek to finally make that jump up to become champions.

The game will be full of fascinating tactical battles all over the pitch and here are four to keep a particularly close eye on.

Where else can we start but with United’s expensive new striker? Benjamin Šeško could have joined Arsenal earlier this summer but will now make his debut in English football in a different red shirt, looking to remind the Gunners of what they missed out on.

Šeško is a tough match-up for any defender, but Arsenal have one of the best in the business in William Saliba, who will need every ounce of his physicality and tactical nous to come out on top here.

Working in Saliba’s favour is the fact that Šeško has only had a few days to get to know his new teammates.

The version of the Slovenia international we see here will not be his final form, but as far as Saliba is concerned, that’s not his problem.

Down to the other end of the pitch for almost exactly the same narrative. We all know about Ruben Amorim’s history with Viktor Gyökeres, who could very easily be playing for United now if the Red Devils hadn’t stunk out the place last season. United’s loss, however, is Arsenal’s gain.

Gyökeres has had marginally longer to gel at his new club, including the benefit of a few pre-season friendlies, but all eyes will be on how he fairs in a competitive fixture on English shores. Trying to spoil his debut will be Harry Maguire.

As the leader at the heart of United’s back three, Maguire will be trusted with either neutralising Gyökeres directly or making sure those around him can keep the Swede quiet.

If he can do a better job than Saliba at the other end, United could get something from this game.

United have spent plenty of money this summer, but Bruno Fernandes remains their talisman, the true danger man who will be given the responsibility of pulling the strings in a new-look attack which is still getting used to its fresh recruits.

Fernandes will likely line up in a deeper role in midfield, which will see him butt heads with Declan Rice.

The Englishman’s relentless work rate will be key to subduing the United skipper, who pops up in positions all over the pitch in his never-ending quest to get on the ball as much as possible.

It’s not only about defending for Rice, who will be part of a three-man midfield overload against United’s double pivot.

There should be plenty of opportunities to enjoy possession and showcase his ball-carrying skills, and Fernandes needs to make sure to stay on top of his defensive duties as a result.

There’s a potential weakness in Arsenal down their left side, where Myles Lewis-Skelly will be asked to invert into midfield.

Such a tactic could vacate the sort of space in which Amad Diallo thrives.

Amad’s new role as a wing back is largely that in name alone.

He’s an attacking winger at heart and has already earned the trust of his manager and his teammates to pick his moments to go forwards—ideally when Lewis-Skelly is out of position.

Lewis-Skelly’s inversion has the potential to cause absolute chaos among United’s midfielders, but it could also backfire if he forgets to track back on Amad.