Follow live coverage as Manchester United face Arsenal today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Liverpool look to fend off competition from Arsenal, Manchester City and more.
The race for the Champions League places should also be a compelling battle, with a fifth place possible for English teams. Manchester United’s latest rebuild under Ruben Amorim sets expectations high once more after a dismal season last time out.
Meanwhile, it’s Burnley, Leeds United and Sunderland who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Manchester United FC 0 - 1 Arsenal FC
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:301-0 to the Arsenal! The Gunners hold on for all three points at Old Trafford, where Ruben Amorim's first full season in charge of Manchester United ends in defeat. The visitors scored what proved to be the winner in the 13th minute, when Declan Rice's deflected corner was headed in on the line by Riccardo Calafiori. United sought a response and looked bright in attack, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo both impressing on their debuts. Yet, despite an xG of 1.59 to their opponents' 1.05 and 61.2% of the possession, the hosts could not find the equaliser. Amorim's side will look to respond away at Fulham next Sunday, the day after Arsenal welcome newly promoted Leeds United to the Emirates Stadium. Thank you for joining us today. Until next time, goodbye!
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:25FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 0-1 ARSENAL
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:25Arsenal have the opportunity to put the contest to bed as they counter from a corner, with Odegaard leading the charge once more. However, a vital touch sees United just about deal with a ball into the six-yard box, before Bayindir gathers.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:24A long ball is pumped forward into the Arsenal box. Timber gets his head to the ball, but only succeeds in diverting it behind for a corner.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:23We are into the final two minutes of stoppage time. United have the ball, but need to get it forward as soon as possible.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:21Lewis-Skelly is deemed to have caught Mbeumo late and has his name taken by the referee.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:21Good block! Arsenal look to put the contest to bed and the ball is neatly threaded through for Saka. However, De Ligt quickly gets across to deflect his volley away from goal, and behind for a corner.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:19The fourth official raises his board to indicate six additional minutes will be played at the end of this game.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:19Yellow Card Jurriën Timber
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:19Try as they may, the ball just will not break for United. A ball into the box does not quite fall their way, and they are unable to find a way through the blanket of white Arsenal shirts.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:16Ugarte has stars and headlines in his eyes as he takes aim from a good 30 yards out. His attempt is ambitious and it shows, as the ball goes aimlessly wide of the target and behind for a goal-kick.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:14Raya follows Dorgu into the book after he is deemed to take a little too long restarting the game from the free-kick.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:13Yellow Card Patrick Dorgu
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:11Arsenal are awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box after Maguire trips Havertz. Rice steps up, but his curling effort goes just the wrong side of the post.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:11Substitution Declan Rice Mikel Merino
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:09As United push for the equaliser with Shaw sending in a cross, Amad goes to ground under pressure from Lewis-Skelly. The winger wants a penalty, but the referee is not interested.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:08Substitution Luke Shaw Harry Maguire
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:06Amad has also been lively since his introduction. The substitute cuts in from the right and gets away from Madueke, but his tame low drive is straight into Raya's grateful arms.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:06Both Cunha and Mbeumo have really impressed on their United debuts. Their efforts have counted for nothing in this game as of yet, but it seems like the Old Trafford faithful have plenty to look forward to from them.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:02SUPER SAVE! Cunha drives United forward and feeds Dorgu, whose cross is met by Mbeumo. Yet, Raya springs across brilliantly to palm away his header.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:00Substitution Ben White Jurriën Timber
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:00Arteta changes his full-backs. Firstly, Lewis-Skelly comes on in place of Calafiori.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:00There is a break in play as White stays down for Arsenal. The medical team are on to tend to the defender, with whom Cunha is not too happy - believing he is attempting to run the clock down.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
18:00Cunha leads the hosts' charge with another surging run from midfield, before feeding Mbeumo. He has Amad for company, but a combination of Magalhaes and Calafiori are able to snuff out their threat. Mbeumo then attempts an audacious overhead kick from a subsequent cross, but it is wide of the target.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:57United appeal for a penalty as Amad's cross appears to strike the arm of Zubimendi. However, it did so as the midfielder initially blocked with his leg, and there was not much he could do about it in all fairness.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:53Here comes United's double-change. Amorim makes one alteration in midfield with Ugarte replacing Casemiro.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:53Arsenal look to attack in the meantime and Madueke sets the ball for Rice to strike, but his first-time effort is blocked by De Ligt.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:53Substitution Mason Mount Benjamin Sesko
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:53There is also activity on the United bench. It seems like only a matter of moments until we see Sesko introduced.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:48As Arsenal attempt to find their way through the United defence, the ball breaks kindly for Rice on the edge of the box. The England midfielder tries his luck, but the shot is always rising.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:48Substitution Gabriel Teodoro Martinelli Silva Noni Madueke
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:48Substitution Viktor Gyökeres Kai Havertz
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:46United look to apply the pressure after they are awarded a free-kick near the left corner flag. However, it comes to an end when Dorgu overhits his cross from the right flank.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:43This is the ninth successive Premier League season that United are kicking off at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have won their Premier League opener on a record 22 occasions. However, there is work to do if they are to register a 23rd such victory here.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:43Substitution José Diogo Dalot Teixeira Amad Diallo
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:40Similarly to the first half, United have started positively and are enjoying plenty of possession. However, they need to demonstrate more creativity to find a way of breaking down the Gunners' defence.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:38The hosts look to start the second half on the front foot. Shaw cuts the ball back to Mount, but his strike is blocked again by the stubborn Arsenal defence.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:34United get the ball rolling the second half. Can they get back on level terms?
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:23Opta's live computer makes Arsenal heavy favourites to go on and see out this victory, rating their chances of doing so at 72.7%. United's hopes of turning this contest around are rated at just 8%, with a draw at 19.3%. Either way, it has been a great game to watch so far; let's hope that continues!
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:20The referee brings to an end what has been an exciting first half at Old Trafford, where Arsenal lead Manchester United by a goal to nil. The hosts, who had an xG of 0.62 to their opponents' 0.8, made the brighter start, buoyed on by the anticipating home fans. However, the Gunners grew into the game and struck first in the 13th minute, when Riccardo Calafiori headed home Declan Rice's corner at the far post. Patrick Dorgu hit the post as the Red Devils sought a response, while the new-look front three also looked bright, but the breakthrough continues to elude them at the midway point in this contest.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:19HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 0-1 ARSENAL
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:17United's forwards have looked sharp today and given the hosts plenty of cause for optimism. Cunha and Mount combine in the box, but the latter's attempted shot on the turn is blocked.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:14United deal with the initial delivery, though Arsenal maintain the pressure. White eventually gets a shot away, but drags it well wide.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:14Yellow Card Riccardo Calafiori
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:13Saka earns a corner off Dorgu and this is a good opportunity for Arsenal to demonstrate their prowess from set-pieces once more. Both centre-halves are making their way forward for the Gunners.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:11GOOD SAVE! Cunha looks dangerous for United again. The debutant jinks away from Rice and shoots from a tight angle. It is creeping into the bottom corner, but for Raya doing brilliantly to just about claw it away and across the face of goal.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:07Odegaard drifts inside from the right flank and glides past a couple of challenges as he does so. The skipper lets fly from the edge of the box, but his slightly deflected effort is held by Bayindir.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:06Seconds later, Cunha embarks on a powerful run that takes him right through the heart of the Arsenal midfield and defence. The former Wolves forward is stretching for his eventual shot, which Raya gets down well to hold.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:06Arsenal look to counter at the other end with Odegaard leading the charge and feeding Gyokores. The latter crosses towards the far post, where Martinelli attempts a spectacular scissor-kick, but gets it all wrong and a chorus of sarcastic cheers echoes around Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:03OFF THE POST! Dorgu has enjoyed space down the left wing on a couple of occasions today. After Arsenal are slow to close him down, the wing-back unleashes a fierce 20-yard drive that clips the outside of the woodwork, with Raya struggling to get there.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
17:02Saka and Martinelli are either side of Gyokeres, who has endured a fairly quiet competitive debut for Arsenal. The former Sporting forward is the first Swede to play for the Gunners in the Premier League since Kim Kallstrom in May 2014.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:59Arsenal threaten at the other end with Saka finding Martinelli on the opposite edge of the box. The latter gets a shot away, but it is tame and easy for Bayindir to collect.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:57Casemiro stands firm to rob Odegaard of possession, then elegantly switches the play to an unmarked Mbeumo. The former Brentford forward advances to the edge of the area, before his shot is deflected behind for a corner.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:55The Gunners have certainly settled into their rhythm and have controlled possession over the past few minutes. Calafiori's goal means they have now scored in each of their last 12 Premier League visits to Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:53Arsenal were never going to roll over for United today. Along with their title challenges in recent years, the Gunners are also unbeaten in each of their last 14 away games in the Premier League since a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United last November.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:49Zubimendi runs into Fernandes right on the edge of the box and the referee awards United a free-kick. This is a good opportunity and position for the hosts, but Fernandes' attempt goes straight into the wall.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:48Arsenal took a few minutes to find their feet, but once they did, the Gunners have enjoyed a surge to stem United's early momentum. They have certainly been rewarded, with the opening goal of this contest.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:45Goal Riccardo Calafiori
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:44Fernandes plays United into trouble with a careless pass inside his own penalty area. Odegaard looks to capitalise and gets to the byline, before his attempted cross is deflected behind for a corner.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:42Raya collects a United corner and quickly sends Odegaard on the counter. The Arsenal skipper finds Saka out on the right, but the England winger is stopped in his track by a brilliantly timed sliding challenge from Mount.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:40There is a positive energy inside Old Trafford today. The players look to revel in it and Dorgu tries his luck from distance, but it is well wide of the target.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:39Mbeumo continues to look sharp as he races onto Mount's throughball. Although the angle is tight, he manages to get a shot away, but it is easy enough for Raya to gather.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:37The two new faces almost combined already for United. The last time the Red Devils fielded two debutants in the same Premier League match was on the opening weekend of the 2022-23 season.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:35After United deal with an early Arsenal throw, Mbeumo has the first opportunity to stretch his legs and the anticipation grows inside Old Trafford. He looks for the run of Cunha, but White gets across well to intercept his attempted throughball.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:32Following an impeccably observed minute's silence to honour late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, referee Simon Hooper blows his whistle and Arsenal get us under way.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:27The teams make their way out into the Old Trafford cauldron. For whom will it be the Theatre of Dreams today, and who will endure the stuff of nightmares?
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:27Liverpool and Manchester City both won this weekend, so can Arsenal follow suit. Of course, it is still very early days, but Arteta will already be mindful about keeping pace with the Gunners' title rivals. Meanwhile, a victory here for United would give them a good early platform on which to build momentum.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:11Similarly, two of Mikel Arteta's signings are straight into the starting XI, including the man they hope will provide the missing piece of the jigsaw in Gyokeres. Zubimendi also makes his bow alongside Rice and Odegaard in the middle of the park, while Mosquera, Madueke and Kepa could debut from the bench. Trossard is also named among the substitutes after recovering from a groin injury, but Gabriel Jesus remains absent.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:11Ruben Amorim boosted his attacking options ahead of his first full season in charge with three notable signings. Two of them - Cunha and Mbeumo - are straight into the starting line-up, with Sesko on the bench. With Andre Onana absent, Bayindir retains his place in goal, while Mount operates as a false nine. Zirkzee has recovered from injury to take his place among the substitutes, but Noussair Mazraoui and Lisandro Martinez are long-term absentees.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:06SUBS: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:06ARSENAL (4-3-3): David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori; Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:00SUBS: Tom Heaton, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven, Tyler Fredericson, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, Benjamin Sesko, Amad Diallo, Joshua Zirkzee.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:00MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-2-1): Altay Bayindir; Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Luke Shaw; Diogo Dalot, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Patrick Dorgu; Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha; Mason Mount.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:00Once upon a time, this would be the standout fixture of the entire Premier League season, with the two sides generally doing battle for the title. While that may no longer be the case, it remains one of the most prominent on the calendar, and is certainly the most mouth-watering encounter of the opening weekend. United are looking to kickstart what they hope will be a much more successful season than last term, during which they recorded a disappointing 15th-place finish - their lowest in the Premier League. As for Arsenal, they have finished second in each of the last three campaigns, and will desperately want to go that extra step in 2025-26.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
16:00Hello everyone and welcome to live text commentary of the Premier League showdown between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
14:30Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
