When Manchester United host Arsenal in the opening weekend of the Premier League, all eyes will be on Old Trafford. But the biggest talking point may not be the football, it could be the long list of players missing the game.
Reports suggest up to six key players from both sides could be sidelined through injury. Among the biggest names is United’s number one goalkeeper, Andre Onana, whose fitness has been a major concern for weeks.
Onana has not featured at all in pre-season. A hamstring injury kept him out, leaving Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir to step in. Bayindir has already shown he can shine, producing a heroic performance against Arsenal in last year’s FA Cup final.
Fans had feared Onana would miss the start of the season entirely. But in a recent update, the Cameroonian sounded optimistic. “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,” he told reporters.
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Even so, the final decision will likely come down to a late fitness test. If Onana cannot make it, Bayindir will start between the posts against Mikel Arteta’s side.
United boss Ruben Amorim also faces problems in defence. Lisandro Martinez is still not ready to return. The Argentine defender has had a difficult run with injuries, and although he travelled with the team during their US pre-season tour, there is no clear date for his comeback.
Adding to United’s headaches is Noussair Mazraoui. The Moroccan has not been seen in training for some time. He was taken off at half-time during United’s friendly against Leeds in Stockholm last month. The club has not revealed the exact nature of his injury, but his absence is worrying.
Joshua Zirkzee is another doubt. The Dutch forward has been in and out of transfer rumours this summer, but his focus has been on getting fit again. In July, he said he was targeting the Arsenal match for his return. Whether he will make it remains uncertain.
Over at Arsenal, there is both excitement and frustration. The excitement comes from their new signings, including striker Viktor Gyokeres, who is expected to start up front. The frustration comes from the fact that Gabriel Jesus will not be there to join him.
Jesus has been recovering from a serious knee injury that has kept him out since early 2025. His absence left Arsenal short in attack, pushing them to sign Gyokeres to lead the line.
Leandro Trossard has been one of Arsenal’s go-to players to fill in when Jesus is missing. But now, Trossard himself is a concern. He missed Arsenal’s final pre-season game, a 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, because of a groin issue.
Arteta tried to calm fears, telling the press: “He had a little niggle in the groin, but he should be fine.” That “should” will not completely reassure Arsenal supporters, especially with such a big match ahead.
Both teams know that starting the season with a win is vital. Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea will all be pushing hard from day one, and dropping points early could prove costly in the title race.
For United, the game will also be a test of their new attacking options. Amorim has reshaped the forward line this summer, and the clash against Arsenal will show if the changes are paying off.
For Arsenal, the match is a chance to prove they can handle setbacks. Missing Jesus and possibly Trossard will test the squad’s depth. But the arrival of Gyokeres and other summer recruits could give them the firepower they need.
Old Trafford will be buzzing on match day. The rivalry between these two clubs runs deep, and fans expect intensity, drama, and goals, no matter who is missing.
Still, the question remains: will the absences overshadow the game? Or will the players on the pitch rise to the occasion and deliver a Premier League classic?
For now, supporters on both sides are refreshing injury updates and waiting for that final team news. One thing is certain: the start of the Premier League could not be more unpredictable.
The battle is set. The stage is ready. But will all the stars show up?
