Manchester United v Arsenal PL match programme, 17.08.25

MANCHESTER UNITED 25/26 HOME JERSEY

UNITED Review

OMAR Berrada

Following “a summer of change”, our chief executive shares his positivity for the long campaign ahead...

Welcome back to Old Trafford for our first game of the new Premier League season where we host this afternoon’s opponents, Arsenal.

We arrive back after a positive  pre-season, starting in Sweden, before the Premier League Summer Series in the US and the Snapdragon Cup here at Old Trafford last weekend.

It’s always a pleasure to see our incredible fans all around the world. Manchester United’s passionate and dedicated following never disappoints.

Wherever we go, you are always out in force. We also work with world-class partners and enjoyed some incredible activations with adidas, Snapdragon and many others on our travels.

It’s been a summer of change, as we moved into our fully refurbished men’s team training complex at Carrington. It is truly best in class and reflects the significant investment which has been made in it. We have no doubt that it will create a high-performance environment for our coaches, players and staff.

Jason Wilcox and the football department have been working hard over the summer to attract the best talent to help us improve the squad. We’re delighted to have Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Diego Leon with us and we’re confident about the impact they will have.

Our summer tour, which took us to Sweden then the US, was a big success, both on and off the pitch

“THROUGHOUT LAST SEASON, WHATEVER THE RESULTS AND WHATEVER THE CHALLENGES, YOU WERE ALWAYS WITH US. THE SPIRIT OF THIS CLUB, TO NEVER GIVE UP AND TO NEVER STOP STRIVING FOR SUCCESS, LIVES ON IN ALL OF YOU”

It was also a huge pleasure to see the England women’s team win the Euros for a second time. It was a fantastic achievement and we were especially proud of Ella Toone, Grace Clinton and Maya Le Tissier for the role they played. We look forward to celebrating their success when they return from pre-season.

Throughout last season, whatever the results and whatever the challenges, you were always with us. The spirit of this club, to never give up and to never stop striving for success, lives on in all of you. Every person at the football club is focused on giving you a lot more to cheer about this season.

Finally, on behalf of everyone at Manchester United, we send our sincere condolences to the families of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, and everyone at Liverpool Football Club. We will have the opportunity before the match to pay our respects to both of them and the wonderful impact these young men had on everyone around them. Enjoy the game and, as ever, thank you for your unbelievable support.

We’re all looking forward to seeing our summer signings, including Sesko, in competitive action at Old Trafford

United’s three Lionesses enjoyed Euros success in July while on national duty

RUBEN AMORIM

Hello and welcome back to Old Trafford for the opening game of the new Premier League season.

As we welcome Mikel Arteta and Arsenal today, we are prepared for what we know will be a big challenge. Since July we have had some important tests against strong opponents, and this week we have trained really hard to be ready.

Our aims are helped by the players we have added to the squad this summer, including the most recent signing of Benjamin Sesko.

Having more options in my selection gives me more decisions to make, and that is a good thing. I have to think and make my decisions, and the players all need to fight to change my mind!

From what I have seen since we started pre-season, I’m really happy with the feeling I get from the squad. We had good momentum from our pre-season

“FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN SINCE WE STARTED PRE-SEASON, I’M REALLY HAPPY WITH THE

FEELING I GET FROM THE SQUAD”

tour, especially coming back to the new training facility at Carrington, and there is real excitement around the club as we look to the future.

We will need huge support from Old Trafford today, but I feel like we are well prepared for the challenges ahead.

manchester united football club ltd

CO-CHAIRMEN Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer DIRECTORS Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Michael Edelson, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE, Omar Berrada, Sir Dave Brailsford SECRETARY Rebecca Britain HONORARY PRESIDENT Martin Edwards

VOLD TRAFFORD: 4.30pm

United’s season starts right here, with the Gunners our opponents for the first time in a Premier League opener

The Premier League is back, and what a way to kick off the new campaign! Our clashes with the Gunners have been long established as one of the competition’s great rivalries, and whether scrapping it out for the title, battling for European places or enjoying times of transition, this fixture is rarely dull.

The north Londoners are first up on our league schedule for the first time since 1989, but with this start comes the opportunity for Ruben Amorim’s team to put last season’s struggles firmly in the past. This is a chance to make a statement start against a side that have been among the league’s strongest in recent years.

Indeed, Mikel Arteta’s men have finished runners-up in each of the last three

seasons and, built on a foundation of the division’s best defence for goals conceded in the two most-recent campaigns, they provide an enticing early test of our attacking mettle.

Confidence has been high at Carrington after a positive pre-season, and the hope is that this afternoon we’ll see the players continue to weave together the good things that fans enjoyed across the five unbeaten outings this summer.

The integration of new signings, and proven Premier League goal-getters, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, along with the developing talent of young Diego Leon, were marked plus points of the off-season programme. The subsequent addition of Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, who joined just in time to be

presented alongside his fellow recruits here last weekend, has added to the intrigue around our new-look forward line.

Arsenal have also been busy in the market and the potential debuts of their new boys – not least striker Viktor Gyokeres, who scored bags of goals under Amorim at Sporting – adds another layer of intrigue to today’s widely anticipated Premier League encounter.

We’ve kicked off campaigns with some memorable wins here over recent years – think Chelsea in 2019, Leeds in 2021 –and one thing that stands out from those victories is the energy that was harnessed between our players on the pitch and those of us in the stands. Let’s do our bit again today and get right behind the lads. C’mon, Reds!

This is a number every United fan loves. That’s due to the events of 26 years ago of course, but there’s also a relevance to the number because of today’s game. Ninety-nine is how many wins the Reds have registered against Arsenal in this titanic rivalry over the years, meaning a landmark 100th victory this afternoon would be the perfect way to kick off the new campaign. It’s also worth noting we’ve played no opponent more frequently than the Gunners, with this due to be our 244th meeting (Liverpool being next highest on 216).

Bruno Fernandes scored both of our goals against the Gunners last term and will be hoping to find the net again today, having topped the Reds’ scoring chart in pre-season with three strikes from our five matches.

Joshua Zirkzee’s next appearance for United will be his 50th as a Red. Like Andre Onana, the Dutchman didn’t feature in pre-season due to injury, but both have been back in team training ahead of this afternoon’s encounter. All 49 of the Dutchman’s games came in his maiden season last term, his first coming in the opening league game of 2024/25, against Fulham.

The task for Ruben Amorim’s men today is to end Arsenal’s current 14-match unbeaten run in Premier League away games, which dates back to last November. They’ve won seven of those matches and drawn the other seven. 6th

United are set to begin the Premier League campaign with a home game for the ninth consecutive season – the longest run of any side in English top-flight history. 9

50

Today’s clash will be the sixth time we’ve faced Arsenal in our opening league game of a season. The previous five all came in the First Division, with four of them played in the capital (in 1910, 1912, 1973 and 1986). You have to go back to 1989 (right) for the last time we met on day one of a top-flight season –a 4-1 win for Alex Ferguson’s Reds in M16. Our record across the five games to date reads: W2 D1 L2.

In case you missed it... United Review recaps the latest unmissable news from inside Old Trafford

MARINERS AWAIT IN CARABAO CUP

Our 2025/26 Carabao Cup campaign will start against Grimsby Town at Blundell Park after the second-round draw was made on Wednesday night. It’ll be our first meeting with the League Two side since 1948, with the tie to take place in the week commencing 25 August. See ManUtd.com/tickets for ticket news.

Have you seen our latest third kit?

We don’t know about you, but UR have always been big fans of the iconic 1993-95 black-and-yellow away kit – so it’s ace to see United and adidas coming together to reimagine it in 2025.

On Tuesday, we launched our third kit (left) for the coming season, which pairs a striking black base with yellow-and-blue details, in a stylish echo of the strip worn by Cantona, Giggs and Keane all those years ago. It retains the Trefoil logo that was so prominent on our popular third kit from last season, and also features the latest cutting-edge technology, in an attempt to help our players perform as well as possible.

This new shirt, plus our recently released home and away kits, are all available to buy now at the United Store, so don’t wait – this one is going to be regarded as a classic for decades to come!

Sesko ’ s squad number

Our exciting new striker Benjamin Sesko (right) will wear no.30 when he steps onto the field as a Red. Who knows, his debut might even come this afternoon! Fellow summer signing Diego Leon had worn Sesko’s new number during our pre-season matches, but the Paraguayan will now move to no.35, with Matheus Cunha already confirmed as no.10 and Bryan Mbeumo no.19. No.30 is not really associated with anyone in United history, but that does mean there’s plenty of space for Benji to make it his own. For more on the Slovenian, head to page 20.

RULE CHANGES FOR ’25/26

This new Premier League season marks the introduction of ‘the eight-second rule’, which aims to prevent goalkeepers from time-wasting. Referees will warn the goalkeepers with a five-second countdown. Another new rule stipulates that only the captain of a team will be permitted to approach the referee – yellow cards can be shown to players who approach without permission. Players who double-kick a penalty, in error, will also be allowed to retake, when previously their effort would have been disallowed.

The Reds last lifted the three-handled trophy in 2022/23

Carrington is reborn

Have you seen the new photos and videos from Carrington? On 8 August, the club confirmed the redevelopment of our training complex was complete, and it looks amazing – the equipment and technology have been upgraded, and there’s been a fresh re-think on everything, from fitness and nutrition to recovery and team unity. Flick to page 32 for a full report on the impressive new facility.

The new-look Carrington training ground has been fully modernised to create an environment that allows

Bruno on the brink

Amid the chaotic end to last season, you’d be forgiven for forgetting that Bruno Fernandes is just two goals shy of becoming only the 23rd player in United history to reach 100 goals. Bruno netted in our last Premier League meeting with Arsenal – a stunning free-kick – and also finished off a glorious counterattack in the Emirates FA Cup third-round tie back in January. Could he reach three figures in glorious fashion today? We’d absolutely love to see it. But however the skipper eventually gets there, what an impact he’s made, scoring at better than one goal every three games from what is, essentially, a midfield position.

Lionesses roar again!

It was another incredible summer for the England women’s team, who retained the European Championship crown they first took in 2022 with an incredible penalty shoot-out victory over Spain in the final of Euro 2025. Grace Clinton, Ella Toone and Maya Le Tissier were all part of the squad, with Toone scoring twice and providing two assists across the competition. The team were paraded in front of more than 50,000 fans in London two days after the final in Basel, and there was more to celebrate for Toone last weekend, when she and long-time partner Joe Bunney announced their engagement. Congratulations!

the players to thrive

The skipper begins the 2025/26 campaign just two goals from recording his United century

It’s been a magical summer for our Lionesses contingent, including Toone, who added to her Euro 2025 success by announcing her engagement

new club mag is out now

!

The latest issue of our official club magazine, Inside United, is out now and it’s an absolute cracker. We’ve interviews with manager Ruben Amorim and new signing Bryan Mbeumo, plus there’s a big, exclusive chat with Mason Mount, ahead of an important season for our popular no.7. There’s plenty more: an in-depth profile of Diego Leon, analysis of Matheus Cunha’s career so far and everything you need to know about the season ahead for both our men’s and women’s first teams. You can buy your copy (above) at one of the kiosks around Old Trafford today…

three fixture changes ahead

All three of our Premier League games in September have been adjusted to meet TV demands. The Manchester derby moves to Sunday 14 September (4.30pm) and the following week’s home game against Chelsea will now start at the later time of 5.30pm on Saturday 20 September. Our final league match of the month, away at Brentford, kicks off at the earlier time of 12.30pm on Saturday 27 September.

DO YOU FANCY CELTIC AWAY?

There will be a rare chance to watch a Manchester United side at the famous Celtic Park (below) on 6 September, as our Legends team heads to Glasgow to take on the Bhoys. This fixture follows a memorable day at Old Trafford last year, when Wayne Rooney returned to net a divine free-kick in a 1-1 draw which raised just short of £1m for Manchester United Foundation. This time, all funds raised will go towards supporting the Celtic FC Foundation. Tickets are priced £18 for adults and £9 for concessions.

OUR NEW COVER…

You might have noticed that the cover of United Review (right) has a new look for this season. Well, we say new, but we’ve attempted to combine something fresh with a retro feel – to try and connect United’s unique mix of the traditional and the progressive. The circular photo you see on the cover today takes inspiration from the 1980/81 issues of UR, while we’ve also re-added the iconic ‘handshake’ illustration. In recent seasons, this famous symbol of unity has been positioned inside, or on the back cover, but it feels right to return it to prominence as Ruben Amorim attempts to kickstart a new era at Old Trafford.

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previous fixture

From Sweden to the United States then back to Old Trafford... Ruben Amorim’s Reds completed our summer-schedule jaunt on home turf last weekend, playing out a 1-1 draw against Italian side Fiorentina before winning on penalties.

It was an eventful day even before kick-off, with confirmation of Benjamin Sesko’s transfer from RB Leipzig being completed, before the exciting young striker was introduced on the pitch alongside fellow off-season recruits Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon and Bryan Mbeumo.

Seeing four new additions proudly holding aloft the red shirt in the centre circle meant there was a real buzz inside the ground at the first whistle, although Fiorentina firing the opening goal in the eighth minute did temporarily quell that excitement. Viola’s Albert Gudmundsson picked out team-mate Simon Sohm with a corner and Sohm fired in a first-time effort. It was the first time United had gone behind across our five pre-season matches, providing a different challenge for Amorim’s side to rise to. But rise we did and after Harry Maguire followed

On a day of unveiling a new signing while honouring a returning United great, the Reds wrapped up our pre-season with a useful home test...

Amad in sending an attempt wide of the East Stand goal, the Reds levelled on 25 minutes, Robin Gosens being forced to divert Bruno Fernandes’s corner into his own net under pressure from both Casemiro and Leny Yoro. Set-pieces continued to offer the Reds further encouragement, as we twice went close from a series of short corners on the right, both constructed by new man Mbeumo. Playing for the first time as a Red at Old Trafford, the left-footed forward found some joy by passing short to Amad and receiving the ball back, before

The Reds attack the Fiorentina goal as Fernandes’s corner forces Gosens to divert the ball into his own net

Mbuemo proves a handful for Viola as he darts down the right

De Gea shows his appreciation for the standing ovation as he departs the action

delivering into a crowded penalty area. First, Mbeumo found the head of Yoro who forced Fiorentina stopper and United legend David De Gea – whose return to M16 was celebrated with a pre-match presentation – into an impressive point-blank save. Then the Spanish stopper kept out Ayden Heaven’s less-threatening connection with Mbeumo’s second notable inswinger.

In the second half, Sohm went close to his and the visitors’ second strike of the afternoon by hitting the crossbar, but the Reds continued to probe with Cunha sporting a wry smile after seeing his low shot from 25 yards whistle narrowly wide of claiming his first United goal.

Later, De Gea was called into action again to parry away Maguire’s rasping drive from a similar range, but that proved to be the goalkeeper’s last meaningful action before he was substituted in the closing stages, to a standing reception from the crowd of over 65,000.

As a result, the Spaniard wasn’t able to take part in the subsequent penalty shoot-out, in which Fernandes, Cunha, Diogo Dalot and Amad – via a cheekily chipped ‘Panenka’ – all scored past De Gea’s replacement Tommaso Martinelli. When Altay Bayindir saved Fiorentina’s last penalty from Fabiano Parisi, Kobbie Mainoo stepped up to fire home the decisive spot-kick.

“It was important to take the feeling of playing at Old Trafford out of the system. It was a perfect game of preparation to show us we need to improve in different areas” – AMORIM

That secured us a 5-4 shoot-out triumph, and the Snapdragon Cup trophy for winning the match, as the Reds banked a last dose of pre-season minutes in a testing dress-rehearsal for today’s much-anticipated league curtain-raiser.

MANCHESTER UNITED 1

GOSENS 25 (og)

FIORENTINA 1

SOHM 8

9 AUG 2025 | 12.45PM OLD TRAFFORD

United XI: Bayindir; Yoro, Maguire (De Ligt 73), Heaven (Shaw 73); Amad, Casemiro (Mainoo 73), Fernandes (c), Dorgu; Mbuemo (Dalot 73), Cunha; Mount (Ugarte 84)

Unused subs: Heaton, Mee, Fredricson, Leon, Collyer, Hojlund, Obi

The Reds react to our penalty shoot-out triumph as our final warm-up game sees us win the Snapdragon Cup

Something You can See that wE ARE really BUILDING

United Review spoke to our no.11 as pre-season drew to a close, with the Dutchman sharing his hopes for what he expects to be an exciting new season…

We start the campaign with a mouthwatering fixture against Arsenal. What were your thoughts when you saw that come up as our opening game?

I don’t think you can have a better game, you know. Start of the season, Old Trafford… Arsenal is obviously a great team as well. So it’s an opportunity for us to show in what direction we want to go to this season. It’s a good moment and chance for us to set a statement – and I’m sure that our work in the pre-season is not for nothing. So yeah, we’re all definitely looking forward to the game.

It’s a challenging start against a difficult side in Arsenal, but it’s an opportunity to put a marker down and say this is Manchester United, this is how we’re going to be this season… Yeah, it’s surely a great game to hopefully build on, hopefully to gain confidence from.

Probably one of your best moments last season came against Arsenal when you scored the winning penalty in our third-round FA Cup tie

at the Emirates back in January. What are your memories of that game?

I just remember us being down to 10 men against a great Arsenal team. It’s not easy but the way we just fought together until the end, and with the fans, fighting so hard for 120 minutes… getting that win is like, yeah, there’s no better feeling. And being able to score the last penalty was obviously also nice, but I think it was the feeling of just winning – especially at the Emirates Stadium.

It had been a tricky period for you running up to that, but you showed a real resilience to put your name down to take one of those penalties. Then, when 8,000 United fans go ballistic in the away end, what’s that feeling like?

You can’t really explain it. Just scoring for United is one of the best feelings in the world, but celebrating with the fans who always travel with us… No matter what situation we’re in – obviously we’ve had a lot of difficult situations – they kept supporting us. So it’s a very special feeling, celebrating with these guys.

J interview

JOSHUA ZIRKZEE

JIt’s up to us that, you know, the next time they follow us to the away games that they’re not coming for nothing, and hopefully they can have a good couple of trips this season.

Historically, United v Arsenal is a bit of a fierce rivalry and that Cup game had a little bit of needle in it. Do you enjoy it when there’s a bit physicality and a bit of head-to-head action going on?

I think it brings the best out of all of us. The more you’re challenged the more you kind of want to just go for it and win the challenge. So, I think all of us know that when you’re playing for Man United, especially in these types of games, you know you’re not just playing for yourself, you’re playing for everyone who supports Man United. And I think it’s a privilege, first of all, but it’s also a motivation. And there’s enjoyment as well. So, as you said, it is nice to have these little moments where you’re just a bit fighting, with a bit of passion and I think from the other side, I think they love it as well. So yeah, it’s part of the game.

Sometimes winning ugly is just as satisfying as playing beautiful football and winning, isn’t it?

I don’t think winning is ugly in any way; winning is always beautiful.

How has pre-season been?

There’s been some good

energy around. Last pre-season I wasn’t there. Now, obviously, I have had a small injury. But the group, for me, is just, I don’t know, there’s such a good vibe. We’re all invested in something. You can really tell that we really want to make sure that we’re not doing what we did last season. And also, outside the pitch, there’s some good vibes. We’re doing a lot of team bonding. I feel we’re much closer than we were last season, and hopefully we can translate all of that onto the pitch and share it with you. You know, the rest of the world who’s supporting United.

Are you aware of that feeling sort of spilling out to the staff and the media guys and the fans?

Everybody seems to be feeling the same thing... Yeah, it is a special vibe. I mean, every individual contributes to that. For example, the new guys, we want to make it as easy as possible for them to feel at home in this environment. But if you see the way that they [have] come in, and also what they add to our environment, it just works together very well. It’s just our job that we stay this close together and also when we have a setback. It’s not, of course, just going to be all sunshine. I think this group is ready for that, to be honest. We have some great guys, experienced guys, young guys. There’s a hunger in this team. There’s even a bigger hunger I think from our manager, from our coach. So it’s up to us to just keep improving and also enjoying what we’re doing.

What do you think is the most important aspect of this particular pre-season? Is it tactical, getting everybody used to the real intricate detail of the system, or is it the togetherness… or is it something else?

I think it’s just simple, really – listening to the coach and the togetherness and creating what I said before. A vibe of having a real team; creating that vibe that you want to go run through a wall for another player, stuff like that. I think that’s really important. Right now, everything’s going well, but you know we have to be ready to handle stuff when there’s a small tback. But I think listening to the coach and the togetherness are the biggest parts. taying healthy.

Two of our new signings – Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo – they’re very different characters aren’t they, on and off the field? What have you made of them?

Yeah, both great guys, humble guys, I think they’re going to be great for us this season. They fit in really asily; they’re part of everything. Of course, Matheus being Brazilian, we already have some guys who speak Portuguese who

Reflecting on a positive pre-season, Zirkzee tells us that the spirit in the United camp is strong and that hopes are high for a successful 2025/26

JOSHUA ZIRKZEE

make it easy for him. Bryan obviously speaks French as well. We have some French guys who are making it very easy. Yeah, it’s been great. Can’t wait to be on the pitch with them as well, so we’ll see what’s going to happen.

Let’s talk about your preferred position. People talk about you as a ‘nine-and-a-half’ –somewhere between a nine and 10, someone that’s able to link up play. Do you have a position that you prefer playing in Ruben’s system?

Anywhere he wants me to play, I’ll play. I think it’s more about the characteristics of the players who are on the pitch at the moment. I’m ready to play wherever he wants me to. He can put me centre-back if he wants and I’ll be ready to be centre-back. But of course, my preferred position is striker, scoring goals. I’m here to help the team, so that’s what he wants.

United fans really want to turn Old Trafford back into a bit of a fortress. It’s really important, isn’t it, for you as players to give the crowd something to get behind?

Yes, 100 per cent. And we players know, as well, when we get Old Trafford going, we’ve seen it in the Europa League, there’s magic at Old Trafford whenever we want it to happen. It’s up to us really, but playing with these fans behind us surely makes it a lot easier when you’re winning. I can only say it’s up to us. I don’t want to say too many words. You’ve got to show it out on the pitch. So that’s enough said on my side.

“WE’RE ALL INVESTED IN SOMETHING. YOU CAN REALLY TELL THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE’RE NOT DOING WHAT WE DID LAST SEASON”

Actions speak louder than words, right? Exactly.

We know that the aim is always for United to win silverware; that’s a given. More generally, what are you hoping to see from the performances this season that’s different from last season?

To be more dominant. There’s got to be a war on the pitch if it doesn’t go our way, and after that we’ve just got to make sure that it goes our way. Again, I can tell you, but it’s really up to us for you guys to see it on the pitch. Trust what we’re doing.

It feels like we started to see that in pre-season… There’s already a big difference, obviously. It’s been pre-season, so let’s not jump into stuff right now. But we did play teams that we were struggling against a lot last season, and you can see the difference. You can see that we’re really building something here. We’ve just got to continue what we’re doing. ●

The Dutch forward celebrates playing a crucial role in the FA Cup defeat of the Gunners last season, and hopes victory against the north London club today will provide the team with the perfect start

Lean, Mean, Slovene Machine

Europe’s biggest clubs have had tabs on Benjamin Sesko since he was a teenager – but what can United fans expect from the 6ft 5in forward?

Little seems to excite football fans more than transfers in 2025. And the signing of a centre-forward seems to take people even higher, delivering peak levels of exhilaration. That’s certainly the case for Manchester United’s fourth new face of the summer: Benjamin Sesko.

Our goalscoring problems were much commented upon last season. In the Premier League we found the net just 44 times in 38 matches – only the relegated teams and Everton scored fewer. The club’s attempts to help Ruben Amorim fix that particular problem have been swift and straightforward: two of the league’s top 10 scorers from 2024/25, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, have been added, and Sesko’s arrival means that an entirely new front three could take to the pitch against Arsenal today.

Cunha and Mbeumo are well known to most Reds. The former terrorised United on the opening day of the 2023/24 season – a match his former team, Wolves, were deeply unlucky to lose – and scored against us at Molineux on Boxing Day last year. Mbeumo was integral to Brentford’s famous 4-0 thrashing of Erik ten Hag’s United back in 2022. But less is known about our latest acquisition: the tall, smiling, 22-year-old Slovenian who was paraded on the Old Trafford pitch before last weekend’s final pre-season friendly, against Fiorentina. So here’s the lowdown, courtesy of UR

WHAT’S THE STORY?

Born in Radece, a small town about 40 miles from Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, in 2003, Sesko gave notice of his talent at a young age. His father, Ales, was a keeper for local club Radece – and Benjamin would also join the team, at age seven. While blessed with the same towering height as his father, Sesko junior quickly revealed instincts more suited to the opposite end of the pitch. In 2016, he joined Krsko, about 20 miles

away, and began battering goals in for their youth sides. In 2017/18 he notched an eyebrow-raising 59 for Krsko’s Under-15s, inspiring top-flight Slovenian club Domzale to swoop.

It wasn’t long before Bayern Munich and other top European clubs made enquiries, but Sesko opted for Red Bull Salzburg, who proposed a clear career pathway and time to develop.

That’s what occurred during the following years. He was immediately loaned out to FC Liefering, in the Austrian Second Division, and after a slow start, pillaged 21 goals in 29 league games

in his second campaign. A first-team debut for RB Salzburg followed swiftly, and an agreement with RB Leipzig was announced in 2022 – the summer Sesko impressed many in England by scoring the only goal in Salzburg’s 1-0 pre-season win over Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. He made the switch to Germany in 2023, and would net 39 goals in 87 matches for his new club, before agreeing to join United.

NO SIMPLE TARGET MAN

The first thing to note is Sesko’s height: at 6ft 5in, he has drawn comparisons to both Erling Haaland and Zlatan Ibrahimovic – his childhood idol. But while Sesko is good in the air, like Haaland and Ibrahimovic, this is no simple target man.

A few years ago, a video of the 14-year-old Sesko dislodging a basketball trapped between the backboard and the rim of the hoop – with his foot! – went viral. The lesson? He can get high, but not just with his head; there’s a real technical agility to what he can do. His goals show a range of skills: booming shots, dexterous turns in tight spaces, improvised finishes from different ranges. Like Haaland, there’s dizzying pace and strength. But there’s also a touch of Zlatan’s acrobatic flexibility and love of improvisation. “Since I’ve been small, I’ve been watching him [Ibrahimovic],” he told MUTV, in his signing interview. “Every single YouTube video that I can find! Because he’s just amazing for me, you know. We don’t have the same, let’s say, character, but I like to

Skipper Bruno welcomes our new towering forward to the first-team fold

A move to Germany with RB Leipzig in 2023 saw the striker add to his growing goal-getting reputation

Sesko’s Old Trafford unveiling last weekend added to the pre-season excitement

“IT’S A HISTORICAL CLUB THAT IS UNBELIEVABLE... IT GIVES YOU THIS ENERGY THAT YOU WANT TO BE PART OF” – SESKO

see the way he plays, the way he enjoys football. Basically it’s just been my dream, maybe one day, to meet him. That would be great. He’s my idol.”

AND OFF THE FIELD?

Away from football, Sesko enjoys playing and watching basketball, and also told RB Leipzig’s club media that he likes to meditate at least once a day and pays close attention to his mental wellbeing – even studying books and theories on the subject. In the statement that accompanied news of United’s signing, director of football Jason Wilcox noted that his character was a key component of the club’s decision to buy him.

“Benjamin possesses a rare combination of electrifying pace and the ability to physically dominate defenders, making him one of the most exceptional young talents in world football,” said Wilcox. “We have followed Benjamin’s

career closely; all of our data analysis and research concluded that he has the required qualities and personality to thrive at Manchester United.”

Media reports claim United have tracked the player since he was a teenager, before he joined RB Salzburg in 2019, while Arsenal and Newcastle’s interest has also been noted. For Sesko, the decision to join United was not only due to the magic of the club’s traditions, but also the ambition for the future.

“It’s a historical club that is unbelievable,” says our new no.30. “For me, the team is great, it is getting better and better, and that’s why also there is just stuff that made you come there: it gives you this energy that you want to be part of. It’s just a great project in general.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR HIM?

Prominent in the press release that confirmed Sesko’s arrival was the line

that ‘over the past two seasons, Sesko has scored the most goals of any player under the age of 23 in Europe’s top five leagues.’

So it’s clear that here is a footballer that is already operating at a high level, with good experience behind him both domestically and internationally (Sesko has scored 16 times for Slovenia in 41 senior appearances). Last year he delivered 21 in all competitions for Leipzig and mustered eight assists. Within that goalscoring tally were four strikes in the elite Champions League.

But after the player’s unveiling last weekend, Ruben Amorim was keen to stress that the player is still “really young”, with “great potential”. As with all United’s new signings, there will be a period of adaptation, as Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko get used to playing with each other and alongside Bruno Fernandes and the other attackers already in situ.

The hope is that the new trio can share the goalscoring burden – Cunha and Mbeumo both acted as the spearhead of our attack during pre-season – and that Sesko will be allowed the time and space to continue the encouraging progress he has made during his career so far.

“What are my ambitions here? Just that we get better, that we connect in general and we, as a team, try to grow together step by step,” said Sesko in that first club interview. “It’s just a matter of time when we can fly high again.” ●

SPORTING GIANTS OF SLOVENIA...

There are fewer people living in Slovenia than Greater Manchester, but Sesko is just the latest sporting name from his country to achieve global prominence. Earlier this summer, cyclist Tadej Pogacar won the Tour de France for the fourth time.

Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak is one of the world’s leading goalkeepers. Meanwhile, a personal friend of Sesko’s, Luka Doncic, stars for the NBA’s LA Lakers in Benji’s second-favourite sport, basketball. Zelo dobro!*

Despite a number of summer suitors, Sesko’s switch to United was based on a successful history he aims to add to

arsenal

After three successive second-place finishes, Mikel Arteta’s men are out to go one better in 2025/26, helped by some exciting new signings...

KEY DETAILS

Nickname: The Gunners Founded: 1886 Stadium: Emirates Stadium (capacity 60,704, right) Last season: Premier League, 2nd; FA Cup R3; League Cup SF; Champions League SF

Major honours: English league champions: 1930/31, 1932/33, 1933/34, 1934/35, 1937/38, 1947/48, 1952/53, 1970/71, 1988/89, 1990/91, 1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04; FA Cup winners: 1930, 1936, 1950, 1971, 1979, 1993, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020; League Cup winners: 1987, 1993; Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1970; UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup: 1994

TALKING POINTS

If not now, then when? The last time Arsenal finished league runners-up three years in a row, they followed it up by winning the Double in 2001/02, and this summer’s transfer market activity suggests boss Mikel Arteta is intent on ending the club’s 21-year wait (and counting) for a top-flight title. “That’s the next step,” says the Basque coach, who is nearing his sixth anniversary in the Emirates dugout.

Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard are all strong arrivals that will add elite strength in depth. A strong start to ’24/25 faded as injuries to a small squad bit hard, with just five wins coming from their final 13 league games.

Gyokeres is the centre-forward the Gunners have long-since craved, Norgaard provides leadership and set-piece dominance, with Madueke a high-class option to rotate on either wing and give creative hub Bukayo Saka an occasional, but much-needed, rest.

“In every position now, we have a different quality, a lot of versatility,” Arteta said after last weekend’s 3-0 pre-season win against Athletic Club.

“We can change the puzzle and make it very difficult for the opposition.”

excitement and energy

Defensive shape is the bedrock of Arteta’s Arsenal. David Raya’s 13 clean sheets last season, to go with a league-best 0.89 goals conceded per 90 minutes, were testament not only to a keeper but a first-choice centre-back duo as explosive and dominant as William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Attacking production, though, must improve. For the first time in more than 100 years, no Arsenal player registered double figures for league goals last season, an unwanted record partially explained by long-term injuries to Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus but also a lack of incision around the penalty area. A sumptuous passer, Zubimendi will help, while breakout teenager Ethan Nwaneri has featured in captain Martin Odegaard’s deeper inside-right slot in pre-season.

“You feel the excitement and energy, and that’s a really positive thing to have,” says Arteta. “We’re very much ready to start the season on Sunday.”

“IN EVERY POSITION NOW, WE HAVE A DIFFERENT QUALITY. WE CAN CHANGE THE PUZZLE AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE OPPOSITION” – ARTETA

Arteta and his fellow Gunners look on intently during their pre-season friendly against Villarreal

Goalkeeper Raya racked up some impressive statistics in 2024/25

tactics board

Arteta is likely to favour tactical evolution over revolution in 2025/26, his 4-3-3 out of possession resembling a 3-2-5 with the ball. Full-backs – Ben White or Jurrien Timber on the right or Myles Lewis-Skelly or Riccardo Calafiori on the left – invert into central areas to help knit together attacks while also protecting centre-backs Saliba and Gabriel, who split either side of a dropping central midfielder.

In Arsenal’s final pre-season friendly against Athletic, Declan Rice alternated with summer signing Zubimendi as midfield anchor, despite the Englishman’s 19 goal involvements in all competitions last season coming as much from his box-to-box surges as his devilish dead-ball delivery.

Real Sociedad’s former deep-lying creator, Zubimendi, dovetailed with

Rice impressively against Athletic, making line-breaking forward passes and proving adept with the ball in tight areas. Saka and Gabriel Martinelli attack from out to in from the right and left respectively, either side of new centre-forward Gyokeres.

The Gunners will be expecting to encounter low blocks aplenty this term, but the Swede is at his best using his pace to exploit space behind opposition defences, so must adapt his game without losing the explosiveness that makes him so dangerous. His header against Athletic, then, was a positive sign. Fit-again false nine Havertz remains another option to draw out opposition centre-backs and create space for onrushing midfielders, while skipper Odegaard could be included today from the inside-right channel.

recent STARTING XI

GOALKEEPERS

PLAYER AGE NATION

David Raya 29 Spain

Kepa Arrizabalaga 30 Spain

Karl Hein 23 Estonia

DEFENDERS

PLAYER AGE NATION

William Saliba 24 France

Cristhian Mosquera 21 Spain

Ben White 27 England

Gabriel Magalhaes 27 Brazil

Jurrien Timber 24 Netherlands

Jakub Kiwior 25 Poland

Oleksandr Zinchenko 28 Ukraine

Riccardo Calafiori 23 Italy

Myles Lewis-Skelly 18 England

MIDFIELDERS

PLAYER AGE NATION

Martin Odegaard 26 Norway

Christian Norgaard 31 Denmark

Fabio Vieira 25 Portugal

Ethan Nwaneri 18 England

Mikel Merino 29 Spain

Albert Sambi Lokonga 25 Belgium

Martin Zubimendi 26 Spain

Declan Rice 26 England

Max Dowman 15 England

The manager

MIKEL ARTETA

The 43-year-old Basque knows this is the season his north London bridesmaids must avoid a last-minute jilting at the altar. “We’re going to be better,” says the ex-Gunners skipper, who has remodelled Arsenal in his hard-working, intense image since taking over in November 2019. Adding to the 2020 FA Cup is vital this term.

FORWARDS

PLAYER AGE NATION

Bukayo Saka 23 England

Gabriel Jesus 28 Brazil

Gabriel Martinelli 24 Brazil

Viktor Gyokeres 27 Sweden

Leandro Trossard 30 Belgium

Noni Madueke 23 England

Reiss Nelson 25 England

Kai Havertz 26 Germany

25 YEARS CHAMPIONING GRASSROOTS

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marquee signing

VIKTOR GYOKERES

Arsenal’s biggest arrival during a busy summer, and heir to Thierry Henry’s no.14 shirt, Gyokeres plundered 97 goals in 102 games for Portuguese giants Sporting, his relentless finishing and devastating acceleration from a standing start making him among Europe’s most sought-after forwards during this off-season. The 27-year-old Swede, who broke through at Coventry City in ’21/22, is now nearing full fitness after a truncated pre-season. “He is so willing and so confident he can deliver straight away,” says manager Arteta.

Fit-again WINGEr

BUKAYO SAKA

Arteta will have everything crossed that there will be no recurrence of the hamstring injury that kept his 23-year-old star boy on the sidelines for three months of 2024/25. Already 260-plus games into a stellar Gunners career, Saka laid on more assists and created more chances per 90 minutes than any other Premier League player last season; his close control, skill in one-on-one situations and in-game intelligence vital if the north Londoners are to improve on last season’s limited attacking output.

Defensive rock

WILLIAM SALIBA

It isn’t hard to see why the France centre-back, still only 24, is attracting plaudits across Europe. Saliba featured in more Premier League minutes than any other Arsenal outfielder last term, also finishing the campaign having completed a top-flight-high 94.3 per cent of attempted passes, while his reading of the game, aerial ability and leadership are vital to a defence that conceded just 34 league goals in 2024/25. The former Marseille loanee’s partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes continues to blossom, too.

9-6

Goals scored, and conceded, in pre-season, across five games. Wins against AC Milan (1-0), Newcastle (3-2) and Athletic Club (3-0) came alongside two narrow defeats – to Tottenham (0-1) and Villarreal (2-3).

97

When it comes to the venue for this fixture, Old Trafford leads the way, having hosted United v Arsenal 20 more times than the Gunners’ old Highbury home (77). The Emirates is third on the list (22).

8-2

Fourteen years have passed since the most high-scoring meeting between the teams, when United put eight past the Gunners in the league here at Old Trafford. Arsenal’s biggest win was a 5-0 at Highbury in the 1936/37 FA Cup.

FIRST, LAST AND ONE IN BETWEEN

In 243 frequently spicy previous meetings with our most common opponents, a trio of draws – in 1894 (first), 2025 (last) and 1989 (one in between) also speak to the enduring sense of narrative that surrounds one of England’s fiercest intercity rivalries.

Still as Newton Heath, our maiden meeting was a topsy-turvy October 1894 Division Two affair at our old Bank Street home. Three-one down early in the second half after Harry Boyd added to Peter Mortimer’s brace for the visitors, the erstwhile Heathens wouldn’t be undone. According to a local newspaper report, ‘Arsenal’s citadel underwent a hot bombardment for five or six minutes,’ as one-time apprentice moulder Bob Donaldson scored twice to level – the second in the Scottish forward’s trademark physical style – to force a 3-3 draw.

Nearly 95 years hence, a 1-1 April 1989 draw at Old Trafford provided the

inspiration for Arsenal to surge to the title. Keen to extend their two-point lead over Liverpool at the top, Arsenal took a 78th-minute lead thanks to Tony Adams’s brave diving header, but hero turned villain moments later. The 22-year-old skipper slashed wildly at Clayton Blackmore’s deflected cross, the ball sailing over a helpless John Lukic, and into his own net.

“We did so well getting in front and I went and messed it up again,” said a magnanimous Adams post-game, but that didn’t stop the Daily Mirror from adorning its following day’s back

“We did so well getting in front and I went and messed it up again” – ADAMS

Brian McClair looks on as Adams (out of shot) puts the ball past his own keeper, John Lukic, in 1989 – but Arsenal would take the big prize in the league that season

page with a pair of donkey’s ears super-imposed onto the centre-back’s head. Adams had been a press target since Marco van Basten exposed the defender at Euro 88 the previous summer.

“I thought: ‘we’re going to win the league and show them,’” Adams later recalled. So it proved. With the title (in the words of commentator Brian Moore) “up for grabs now” six weeks later at Anfield, Alan Smith and Michael Thomas’s last-minute bundle delivered the Gunners the 2-0 win they needed to lift the title in Liverpool’s backyard for the greatest denouement to a top-flight season. (Sorry, City.)

March’s most recent fixture between the familiar foes also ended 1-1, Bruno Fernandes’s sumptuous free-kick in first-half stoppage time cancelled out by Declan Rice 16 minutes from time. Another draw today would be a 55th, but what we really want to see is a 100th United victory.

Carrington transformed

The Reds’ revamped training complex has officially reopened, boasting state-of-the-art, world-class facilities designed to give every United team the best environment to prepare and perform. Let’s step inside...

Special,” said Diogo Dalot when asked for his thoughts on United’s newly redeveloped men’s first-team building at the Carrington Training Complex. “I would say it was even emotional for me when I came to this new facility. It will give access to the players some things that very few teams in the world have, and I think that’s what defines the best from the others. This is a special moment for the club.”

The Portuguese defender was speaking to MUTV at the recent ceremony to open the revamped Carrington, attended by Ruben Amorim’s squad, club officials and media.

Led by Foster + Partners, under the direction of renowned Mancunian architect Lord Norman Foster, the year-long project has delivered a leading-edge, high-performance training base designed to inspire collaboration, innovation and excellence.

Financed by part of the £300 million of capital invested into the club by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the work was completed

on time and within budget, more than a week before today’s start to the 2025/26 Premier League season.

Sir Jim, the club’s co-owner, said: “Following a review of the facility last year, we made a quick decision to invest significantly in the creation of a world-class

and staff come together for

performance environment for staff and players to reflect our ambition and vision for Manchester United. We are delighted with the outcome and are confident the new facility will play an important role in building a winning culture at the club.”

Amorim’s squad stepped into their remodelled home for the first time after returning from a successful pre-season tour of the US. Many of the club’s executive leadership team have also moved into the building, together with other staff relocated from Old Trafford, signifying a shift in the club’s centre of gravity towards Carrington, with football at the core.

Omar Berrada, United’s chief executive officer, said: “This project represents a clear step towards unifying every part of the club around a shared footballing vision. By bringing our staff and players closer together in one integrated environment, we are creating a culture of collaboration and high performance.”

At the official reopening, Sir Jim was given the honour of cutting the ribbon, being joined in ceremonial duties by Sir Alex Ferguson – the man whose idea it had been to replace The Cliff training ground with a new complex in Carrington back in the late 1990s.

The first incarnation of the training ground was opened in January 2000, so it felt fitting that the late Kath Phipps, the hugely popular staff member who was the welcoming face of the facility for over two decades, should be honoured in the new-look reception area. Days after her ashes had been scattered under a

Players

the unveiling of the new facilities on their return from our tour of the US

The vast pool room includes hot and cold plunge areas, as well as a physical therapy pool, which can track every movement from those using it

The bright and open space for the Carrington staff is designed to ignite innovation

The staff restaurant sits next to the open-plan office area

“IT’S A HUGE STATEMENT TO WHAT’S COMING IN THE PRESENT AND NEAR FUTURE... I’M GLAD TO BE A PART OF IT” – DIOGO DALOT

tree in front of the main entrance to the first-team building, Sir Alex unveiled a plaque close to where her desk had been for many years, commenting: “She was a fantastic person – 55 years at Manchester United, it’s a record. No-one has been at this club 55 years. I was honoured to be here for 27 years. Imagine being here for 55 years! She was such a devoted person doing it and is a real miss. A real loss to this club. I unveil this plaque and thank her for the wonderful person she was, and for Manchester United.”

The redevelopment of the men’s team building follows the construction of a new £10m building for the women’s first team and men’s Academy in 2024, bringing the total investment in Carrington to more than £60m over the past three years, and unifying all the club’s teams in a single, modernised campus.

For Dalot, with the work on the building now complete, it’s time for the players to get to work on achieving their aims. “Being here for a while you always feel that time is passing by, but you always try and keep positive and believe that you’re going to be a part of putting Manchester United back on top,” he said.

“This is a big part of it. It’s a very first big step that Sir Jim and his team did. We must appreciate the effort that he made to give us access to something like this. It’s a huge statement to what’s coming in the present and near future so I’m very glad to be a part of it. At the same time, it gives me even more responsibility and energy to go forward.”

Sir Alex unveils the commemorative plaque in honour of long-serving and dearly missed club colleague Kath Phipps

The dressing room provides a functional and stylish space for up to 30 players

The briefing facility is where the coaches will pass on their tactical instructions

Plenty of silverware lines the impressive spiral staircase

Sir Jim cuts the ribbon to officially open the revamped training ground

A new season starts today – and there’s no shortage of talking points. We asked 11 experts – from players and staff, to journalists and fans – to reveal what intrigues and excites them most about the campaign ahead

‘

i’m most looking Forward to...’

YORO ’ S NEXT STEPS

RIO FERDINAND, CLUB LEGEND

“Leny Yoro is a fantastic talent who I think will grow. The prospect, the talent, isn’t a question. It’s about fulfilling that talent, that potential, and he’s a serious person, who works hard. His desire is to be better every year and keep working, and long may that continue. If he continues like that, who knows what his ceiling is going to be? I still think you need the stability around him to help him as a young player. But if I had to pick a surprise player of the season, it’d be Kobbie Mainoo. I’m expecting big things this year.”

TACTICS COMING TO LIFE

LIAM BRADFORD, MUTV COMMENTATOR

“We began to see on the pre-season tour that [tactical] movement really come to life for Ruben Amorim’s side. I know it’s something he’s been trying to get right since joining mid-season, but from

what we saw on tour, I honestly believe that United have got a really good grip on this now. I also think the link-up between Mbeumo, Cunha, Bruno and anyone else playing in that forward line is going to be really exciting for us fans over the course of the season. If we can hit the ground running in the first few games, I’m hopeful United can go on and have a brilliant season.”

TODAY ’ S GAME !

AYDEN HEAVEN, DEFENDER (AND

EX-GUNNER)

“I can’t wait. I’m looking forward to this first game of the season and for us to show the fans what we can do. We’ve worked hard in training to become a better team.”

SEEING WHAT ’ S BREWING

‘DIPS’, UNITED FAN

“There’s a renewed sense of energy and unity around the club that’s hard to ignore, summed up by a

special moment I had in Chicago while following the Reds on tour. Enjoying a quiet meal, I spotted Ruben Amorim walking by. We had a chat and he couldn’t have been more gracious. He insisted on having a photo with my son, Ryan! It’s a moment we’ll never forget. And we chatted about the season ahead. He was candid but also full of positivity and determination. I assured him that the support from fans never wavers and that we’re behind him every step of the

Amorim shares a special moment with Dips’ son Ryan in Chicago while on tour during the summer

way. His humility in that moment was striking. He genuinely appreciated the backing and emphasised how crucial that connection is in driving the club forward. So I can’t wait to see the new signings thriving and to see the vibe that we felt on tour – speaking to fellow fans, staff, club leadership, the vibe around United feels like something special is brewing. You can see a genuine togetherness. That makes me optimistic even if there are challenges coming up; that unity and spirit can get us through.”

A REVENGE SEASON !

LENY YORO, DEFENDER

“I think for us it’ll be a good season, like a ‘revenge’! We need to be good this season.”

SMILES ON FACES

PETER DRURY, COMMENTATOR

“Your man Ruben Amorim, who has taken a few hits over the last few months, seems to

me to be a very decent, regular guy. So from an entirely human perspective –because I’ve got to remain non-partisan! – I’ve got to wish him well. United look as though they’ve got a smile on their face, which is probably the basic premise during pre-season. I think United fans around the world want to see smiles on faces and I think there are little roots growing into a tiny blossom.”

COMPETITIOn and spirit

RUBEN AMORIM, HEAD COACH

“There’s a good thing called ‘competition’. The players know that there are no European games. You can only start 11 players. I can feel already the players are scared when they miss one game to rest; they want to get their place back straight away. This is good. And the new players are humble, they want to be here. Matheus, he’s a baller! He has characteristics that we missed last season. The fans deserve to have guys like Matheus and Bruno that can lift the stadium. Sometimes we have to look at the past. Of course, football and the world has changed, but there are some things we can get from the past, and the spirit of the players is one.”

SEEING THE TEAM GEL

NIK ZABIHI, UNITED FAN

“The team feels ready to go – the energy’s positive, they look really energised, everyone’s on point. They’re gelling together, so it’s really good to see. The new players seem like they’ve been with the team for a

Harnessing the strong spirit in the United camp, Reds boss Amorim has every confidence in his players

Martinez and Cunha take time out while on tour in the US as optimism for the season ahead grows

very long time so I’m really excited to see it. Getting to watch training [on tour] was unbelievable. To be honest with you, the players are giants! You don’t realise how fit and big they are.”

HIGHEST STANDARDS

OMAR BERRADA, CHIEF EXECUTIVE

“The mood has been very good. The culture, the standards, the values... we are trying to ensure that we create a team spirit that allows the players to compete at the highest level. We have very high standards – Ruben is very clear about that and so is Jason [Wilcox]. It is something we want to see with the players, with the staff, with everyone, because what we want to do is to win and to start winning titles as soon as possible. Of course, adding players helps. They [the new signings] have adapted really well... so all of the signs are positive and we are cautiously optimistic. We hope we are going to have a great season.”

FULL SEASON OF RUBEN

ANDY MITTEN, FAN AND JOURNALIST

“I think this is a fairer time to watch, to judge, to critique Amorim, after a fairly turbulent first six or seven months. He’s got several of his new signings in now, and though I’m not expecting an instant click from 15th to first, I am expecting a significant improvement. I like the signings and, yeah, there’s pre-season optimism coursing through every word I say! But I remember when he got the job and somebody who is basically an A-licence [coach] told me: ‘If it comes off, what he’s planning to do, it’s an excellent, intelligent way of playing football, and a very effective way of playing football.’ I’ve also spoken to several players pre-season, and the mood is good. I spoke to the manager pre-season, too, and was highly enthused. He communicates superbly.”

watching SESKO !

DAVE PYE, SEASON TICKET HOLDER

“A new season always brings new hope and I am no different. I think all of us were glad to see the back of last season, but now it’s all about looking forward – as Ruben Amorim

The arrivals of Mbeumo, Sesko and Cunha has strengthened our front line and brought added excitement to the fans ahead of today’s opener

rightly said in May. The manager has to be given a chance and fans will keep backing him, as we always do here. No European football is a blow –particularly for those like me that love following the team all over – but the plus side is more time for the boss to instil his beliefs into the players. And in Benjamin Sesko, we have a talented young striker to get excited about watching as it all gets started today. Take me home, to the place I belong!”

25/26 AWAY JERSEY

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UNITEDReview

UNITEDReview

Off to a flier !

United Review counts down our all-time top five favourite league-opening performances at Old Trafford – celebrating the players, goals and moments that got our season up and running

United 5

Chelsea 2

When: 23 August 1958. What happened? Manchester United began its first full season following the earth-shattering Munich Air Disaster, and Matt Busby took charge of the team for the first time in more than six months, after overcoming the serious injuries he suffered in Bavaria. And, against all odds, United hammered a very good Chelsea team, powered by a brilliant Bobby Charlton hat-trick and a double from Alex Dawson. It was the start of a truly heroic season from Busby’s men: despite the tragic loss of eight players, the Reds battled to a remarkable second-placed finish. What made it special? The strength of character shown by Munich survivors

Charlton, Foulkes, Gregg, Scanlon and Viollet, all of whom played in this game. The incredible determination to carry on, to start again, that was embodied by Busby. The emotion that would have been experienced by every single person in a bumper crowd of 52,382. And, more than anything, the message that was conveyed by the performance itself: that Manchester United would not give up until the standards set by those that perished had been reclaimed. What they said: “My dear friends, today United stands at the crossroads. Many of our finest players together with some of the most experienced members of our staff are no longer with us. Matt Busby regains his strength, but the team you cheer today is about to start one of the most testing seasons in the history of our club... Give us your loyalty and United will be great again.”

(Harold Hardman, chairman)

United’s ceaseless attack against Chelsea is showcased in the following issue of United Review, as Nottingham Forest visited M16

United 4 Arsenal 1

When: 19 August 1989. What happened? Faced with the most daunting opening-day challenge possible – a visit from the reigning English champions, Arsenal – Alex Ferguson’s United romped to a pulsating 4-1 win in the Stretford sunshine. The day is also vividly remembered for a pre-match appearance from businessman Michael Knighton, who took to the pitch before kick-off and performed a few keepie-uppies in front of the Stretford End to celebrate his impending takeover of the club. But Knighton’s deal fell through shortly after. What made it so special? The

having famously won 2-0 at Anfield on the final day of the preceding season to clinch the title. They also boasted a near-impregnable defence. Ferguson’s

so expectations were relatively low. But with Hughes, McClair and Robson in tip-top form, and new signing Neil Webb delivering a magnificent volley, the Reds’ stunning display showed that, at its best, here was a team capable of reaching great heights. It would take Ferguson’s squad another couple of years to find true consistency, and the 1989/90 season that followed did contain some extremely challenging moments, before ending in FA Cup success. But this victory over Arsenal was an early indication that good times were coming. What they said: “I think the fact Arsenal were the opposition helped us, and having a new owner stimulates people in the club. But the supporters are important, too. This is the greatest stage in the world and when the fans are like

Bruce sets the tone for an opening-day humbling of reigning league champions Arsenal as he glances home a corner in the second minute

Prospective new owner Michael Knighton warms up the home crowd

This season we’re going up from 128 to

Premier League matches

United 4 Bolton 0

When: 16 August 2003. What happened? Over 67,000 people flocked to Old Trafford for United’s first Premier League game of the 2003/04 season, with the majority worrying about how the Reds would cope without the David Beckham goal pipeline. But within 35 minutes, Ryan Giggs scored a glorious, Beckham-esque free-kick to ease some of those concerns. And when a new Portuguese teenager replaced Nicky Butt just after the hour mark, a flurry of three goals in 13 minutes transformed a seemingly humdrum home win into a hugely encouraging 4-0 scoreline. What made it so special? word: Ronaldo (right). Though, at the time, you might have needed two: Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2003, world football knew only one Ronaldo – a gaptoothed Brazilian famous for scoring

goals against Manchester United. The reigning Ballon d’Or winner. But, within a few short years, there would be two Ronaldos prominent in the popular consciousness, and this was the world’s first real glimpse of Cristiano –a Portuguese phenomenon that would eventually establish himself as one of football’s greatest players. His cameo against Bolton was regarded as one of the most astonishing United debuts of all time when it happened; you couldn’t move for older fans making breathless George Best comparisons as the crowd filtered out that day. But what Cristiano has achieved since has only heightened this fixture’s legendary status.

“It would be perverse not to recognise quite what we saw. We saw thrilling movement and courage. We saw a fine positional sense and tremendous balance. We saw an old football head. Most of all we saw an instinct and a confidence to attack... I have rarely seen such a brilliant debut.” (Ex-Red and pundit John Giles)

Red-letter days

UR’s top-five list includes the opening days we think are United’s finest, but there were plenty of contenders. What about 1962, when Denis Law scored the first of 237 United goals just seven minutes into his debut, against West Brom? Or 1966, when we set the tone for our seventh league title by putting five past the Baggies within 22 minutes? Law got two that day, as well. There was David Beckham’s last-gasp free-kick against Leicester City in 1998, which foreshadowed the Treble season’s glut of incredible late goals, for a comeback 2-2 draw. And even recent years have provided several substantive highs: a 4-0 thumping of Chelsea in 2019 saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s young Reds in superlative form. Let’s hope for something equally memorable today!

The fist-pumping celebrations continued into the second half as Scholes nets our third goal against the Trotters

Beckham soaks up the applause after his Leicester leveller in 1998

United 5 Leeds 1

When: 14 August 2021. What happened? In simple terms? United ran riot against an old, bitter enemy. This was the first fan-attended league match between us and Leeds for more than 17 years, and the atmosphere beforehand was palpable. United took the lead through Bruno Fernandes, but a rocket from Luke Ayling just after the interval had Marcelo Bielsa’s men dreaming of a first league win at Old Trafford since 1981. But within 20 minutes, the Yorkshire club’s only fantasy was the M62 eastbound, due to a blitzkrieg of goals from Mason Greenwood, Fred and Fernandes, who scored twice more to complete his first United hat-trick.

What made it so special? This was the first game in front of an unrestricted crowd at Old Trafford for more than 14 months. The stadium’s longest spell without a fully fan-attended United game since our post-war return to Old Trafford in 1949. Covid-19 had robbed supporters of countless hours of live football, so there was a uniquely poignant and cathartic feel to the build-up. Add in the excitement of opening day, plus a visit from Leeds – which always adds heat and spice – and M16 was shimmering with life. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s (right)

side had finished second the season before, too, so there were genuine hopes of a serious title assault. Sadly, that didn’t materialise. But these glorious 90 minutes were everything the 70,000+ Reds inside Old Trafford had dreamed of for those 14 long months.

“It creates and sets the mood when you see the fans driving to the stadium. You get the butterflies again. Suddenly it’s a game that matters. We felt extra responsibility because it’s been so long without them. They mean so much to us. To have that love from the fans is so important. It’s been a fantastic day.”

(Ole Gunnar Solskjaer)

Fernandes sinks to his knees after scoring the opener on the half-hour mark before adding his second after the break (above)

Fred wraps up the 5-1 rout as Solskjaer’s Reds make a barnstorming start to the 2021/22 campaign

The Reds rejoice with a full stadium once more as the return of fans to Old Trafford is marked in opening-day style

United 5 Fulham 1

When: 20 August 2006. What happened? The imperial phase of the Rooney-Ronaldo era began. When Ruud van Nistelrooy was sold to Real Madrid in the summer of 2006, and back-to-back Premier League champions Chelsea strengthened by signing Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko, few gave United a prayer in the title race. The headline of one Guardian article even posited that Sir Alex Ferguson was ‘shredding his legacy at every turn’. But within 19 minutes of the season’s start, United had put four past Fulham, with both of the young prodigies finding the net. Ronaldo’s goal – a superb halfvolley from Rooney’s perfectly floated cross – seemed to signify the start of a new era for Sir Alex’s Reds. Rooney made it five midway through the second half and, from nowhere, the club’s next great team seemed to have emerged almost fully formed, with Rooney and Ronaldo spearheading a bold charge towards new glory.

What made it so special? While United fans had always harboured big hopes for Rooney and Ronaldo, the summer of 2006 brought the pair to a crossroads moment. With van Nistelrooy’s departure, United had lost a player responsible for 150 goals in five seasons. Ronaldo had never even hit double figures in the league at this point. There was also a hugely controversial incident between the pair at the 2006 World Cup, when Rooney was sent off in England’s doomed quarter-final with Portugal. The Liverpudlian had received the red card for a perceived stamp on Ricardo Carvalho’s nether regions, but it was Ronaldo’s reaction to the tackle – and his insistence that the referee take punitive action – that irked Rooney and the English media. A famous ‘wink’ to the Portuguese bench in the moments after the red inflamed the situation further. But, with typically acute intelligence, Alex Ferguson got straight to work, and a meeting in the boss’s office on the first day of pre-season culminated in the pair shaking hands. And by the time the Fulham game rolled around, Rooney and Ronaldo’s only discernible concern seemed to be the complete annihilation of Fulham’s defence.

For the next three years, they would terrorise the Premier League (and Europe), inspiring arguably the greatest period of success in United history. What they said: “You could tell from this afternoon’s game, he and Wayne are the best of pals... they linked up together on numerous occasions. People are always looking for a scapegoat in situations like this summer, but even the Fulham fans stopped booing Cristiano in the end. I think they acknowledge the boy is a wonderful player.” (Sir Alex Ferguson)

Rooney slots home the first of his double as the Reds continue to lay siege to the Fulham goal

Rooney and Ronaldo come together to celebrate the Reds’ fourth inside 20 minutes

Ready to go... in 1912

Who are we looking at? The player on the right, smiling at the camera and wearing United’s away kit of the time, is Charlie Roberts, our much-heralded captain from 1905 to 1913. On the left is an unidentified United team-mate – possibly the legendary Billy Meredith – and an unknown Arsenal player.

When and where was this taken? On 2 September 1912, ahead of a Football league First Division fixture between United and Woolwich Arsenal at the Manor Ground, in Plumstead, south-east London. The stadium was the former home of the Gunners, who moved to Highbury the following year then dropped the first part of their name a year after that.

What’s the significance of the photo? It shows the teams warming up ahead of the first league game of the 1912/13 season – the second of five occasions in which United and Arsenal have met in the opening fixture of a top-flight campaign.

How did the game go, and the season? The reported 11,000 crowd watched a goalless draw, kicking off a season in which United would eventually finish fourth, and Arsenal bottom with just three wins and 18 points. It was also Roberts’s final season as a Red, with him moving to Oldham Athletic in August 1913 after 302 United appearances, 23 goals, and winning two league titles, the FA Cup and two Charity Shields. Centre-half Roberts remains one of our most successful captains, and he is famous for being one of the pioneers of the Professional Footballers’ Association.

Helping our young people tell their stories.

FOLLOW ALONG

Welcome Home, Tommy!

Last weekend saw the return of one high-profile former Red, David De Gea. But high up in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand sat another notable figure who wore the shirt: Tommy Heron.

The Scot made just three appearances after signing in March 1958, one month after Munich. But our records suggest he is one of the oldest United players alive.

Tommy made his debut against Preston in April ’58, alongside Busby Babes Bobby Charlton and Bill Foulkes, before moving to York City in 1961. We were delighted to welcome the

89-year-old, who enjoyed a meal with his family (on the table of his longtime friend, Sir Alex Ferguson) before being personally greeted by David De Gea, Amad and new signing Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenian told Tommy he was proud that the club’s history connected them. Chief executive Omar Berrada and club legends Denis Irwin and Bryan Robson also stopped by for a chat. Tommy then enjoyed the match from Sir Matt Busby’s old seat. “My boots are in the car,” he told club staff, “but I think I’ll only make the bench, with all these new signings!”

One of the club’s oldest living players was our special guest at the Fiorentina game

Over 67 years on from his debut, Tommy takes to the pitch ahead of last weekend’s friendly, before our VIP had an audience with several players, including Amad (below)

SEASON 2025/26

‘United’s london

support is all about romance’

Meet the latest fan on the cover, who knows a thing or two about following the Reds from the capital, plus our rivalry with Arsenal

The relationship between Manchester United and London is a fascinating one. For Mancunians, the way United furrowed its own path to international renown is a point of huge provincial pride. But, equally, it’s also well acknowledged that a significant part of our hardcore support comes from the capital. Everyone knows about the Cockney Reds.

Jeremy Levy – the first Red to feature in UR’s iconic ‘handshake’ illustration in 2025/26 – is one of them, despite spending his first 13 years in Dublin. “My dad’s Irish and my mum’s from Manchester,” Levy explains, “but I’ve lived in London for nearly 30 years, so I guess I can call myself a London Red, or a Cockney Red!

“It all came from my dad,” he continues, “and my older brother, Richard, who I still go to all the games with. I remember my dad taking him to Maine Road and then the 1990 Cup final – the 3-3 draw with Palace – and being upset he didn’t take me! But my first game was as a five-year-old, on New Year’s Day 1990: a 0-0 draw against QPR. But that didn’t dampen my enthusiasm.”

Upon moving to London, Levy was “mocked all over the place” for being a “glory fan” – despite his Old Trafford debut coming just weeks after Pete Molyneux’s infamous anti-Ferguson banner. Jeremy soon proved his passion was pure. “I just couldn’t wait,” he remembers, “thinking

“There’s a very specific ethos about United, which I think is to do with Manchester people and the city’s attitude towards things. The people down here identify with that culture”

about how much more I could go to Old Trafford. Once my brother passed his driving test, we started going to away games too. Twenty-five years later, I’ve seen United in 29 countries.”

Jeremy already knew the strength of our support in London, but the Reds he

swiftly met widened his eyes even further to United’s magic pull.

“A lot of London fans have no family connections to Manchester whatsoever, but have supported United for decades,” he notes. “And it’s all to do with the romance of United. There’s a very specific

Jeremy (right of picture) – UR’s first featured handshake fan (see above) of 2025/26 – makes the short trip to Wembley with friends for the 2023 FA Cup final as one of our many beloved Cockney Reds

ethos about United, which I think is to do with Manchester people and the city’s attitude towards things. The people down here identify with that culture.”

But with Arsenal in town today for arguably our biggest league-opener since 2004, when we travelled to Chelsea (second the previous season), what do Cockney Reds think of the Big Smoke’s other clubs? “In terms of stature, Arsenal

are definitely the biggest,” asserts Levy, “but Tottenham aren’t too far behind. I wouldn’t write off West Ham either: before Abramovich, they could have been considered as big as Chelsea.”

But Jeremy reckons Arsenal is still the fixture that most whets the United whistle – even if the rivalry is not quite as atomic as it was 20 years ago.

“I wouldn’t want to speak for everybody, because people might have personal views on why Spurs or Chelsea are more important,” he concedes, “but most would say Arsenal. The rivalry started in the ’80s, really. I had a chat with Bryan Robson about it: he said it was all about Norman Whiteside kicking lumps out of Arsenal and getting away with it!

“Then it kicked off a couple of years later when McClair missed his penalty at Highbury. Then there was the fight between McClair and Limpar and Winterburn. It carried on when Wenger came in. It’s because of that and, possibly, success. In terms of league titles, they are the third-most successful. And they’ve won one more FA Cup than us – though it

“United’s record against the top six has been decent in the last few years, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a result today”

should be the other way round after 2005. We absolutely battered them!”

There’s another reason why this afternoon’s game is important for Levy: his wife supports the Gunners.

“I have a child too, and she’s United-obsessed,” he chuckles. “But my in-laws try and convince her to be an Arsenal fan. She said ‘Come on Arsenal’ once and I had to text the father-in-law and lay down a marker...”

And as for today? While it’s not often the Gunners arrive as favourites (they’ve won just two of the last 18 league games here), Jeremy is cautiously optimistic.

“They certainly wouldn’t have wanted to come to Old Trafford for the first game of the season,” he reckons. “United’s record against the top six has been quite decent in the last few years, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a result. And you can guarantee the atmosphere will be good.”

Another thing you can guarantee is that the Cockney Reds will be here in force. As they will be for Burnley later this month. As they have been for the last 60-odd years, no matter where United are playing.

Jeremy joins his brother and friends in Bilbao, Spain – one of the 29 countries he’s watched the Reds in action

Introducing daughter Olivia to the delights of Old Trafford

Putting the Red in Moscow’s Red Square ahead of our triumphant 2008 Champions League final

UNITED VOICES

ROWETTA: THIS IS OUR TIME NOW!

In the first of a new series where we hear from well-known Reds, a legendary Mancunian singer and musician sounds a battle cry...

“I went to Bilbao in May for the Europa League final. I was lucky enough to be asked to sing at a fans’ event before the game, and although I was obviously disappointed by the result, to be honest, we didn’t deserve to win anything last season. The team did not look a happy one; there wasn’t enough joy or passion in the side. But that was then, and I think this season will be better.

We’ve got the best fanbase, a manager that everybody supports, believes in and backs, the new Carrington looks amazing, and we are really starting to see what Ruben is all about. So I’m extremely positive. Although I do always try to be positive at the start of every season – I can’t stand fans who are negative! And I’m not interested in other teams apart from United. I don’t watch City! Phil Foden doesn’t live far from me but he could walk into the local shop and I wouldn’t know who he is. I wouldn’t recognise him.

I’m excited about the signing of Sesko. It is never easy to score goals in any league, but some young players are just made to score goals – like Andy Cole was. As soon as they get a big platform like United, they shine. Hopefully Sesko will shine for us. I’m also excited about some

Manchester-born songstress Rowetta with ‘voice of Old Trafford’ Alan Keegan in Bilbao where she performed at a fan event ahead of the Europa League final

of our young players coming up. I love Amad and Kobbie. The Arsenal game will be a tough match to start the season, but we’re at home. And we’ve shown we can beat the big teams. It’s the little teams that come and beat us that I can’t bear.

The first match I got taken to was at City in 1976, as my best friend’s dad was a mate of Joe Corrigan, the City keeper. I went off football for a bit after going to an Everton game where there was a lot of racism. My friend then started taking my kids, plus the children of Andy Rourke [The Smiths] and Gaz Whelan [Happy Mondays] to United. I then started going again with my son and when I saw Eric Cantona I fell in love with the game again!

We never seemed to lose. In fact, the first team I remember us losing to was somebody like Swansea. Every time I had time off on a Saturday or Sunday we’d go.

I still go to games now, whether it’s a friendly, a league match, or a cup game on a Monday night against Reading! I go on my own and I go whenever I can.

I went to the Fulham game with [actor] Keith Allen. He was crying because Fulham beat us. Which just shows that even when we are doing badly, everyone still wants to beat us. Walking home to your car through the crowds after a defeat is the saddest, most horrible feeling. But I’m feeling positive about today’s game!

The players who have signed for us this summer have done it with United having finished 15th in the league; with us having no Champions League. I just love that. To me, it shows they believe in us –

“YOU HAVE GOT TO HAVE PLAYERS WHO BELIEVE IN UNITED, AND IN OUR MANAGER. I’M EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE”

and that is what you’ve got to have: players who believe in United and in our manager. I think United players and fans are different to everyone else. A proper Manchester United player who loves Manchester United will walk differently. He will walk like a Cantona, like a Ronaldo. He will walk brave and proud, like Fergie. I’m excited for the future. Love your team and stay United.”

The singer’s love for United was reinvigorated during the Cantona (right) era and has only intensified since

Our transfer activity during the summer, plus a positive pre-season, has fans like Rowetta excited for the campaign ahead

MATCHDAY

MESSAGES

Many happy returns to Joshil Kotecha ahead of his 12th birthday on 19 August.

Happy 10th birthday to Amal Taqi for 21 August. Hope you have the best time celebrating at the game today.

Welcome to Caitlin Lowry, from Kilkenny in Ireland, for her first visit to Old Trafford. Welcome back, also, to Darren, Linda and Jack Lowry.

A very happy sixth birthday to Zach Dillon from Ireland. We hope you have the best time celebrating at the game today.

Happy 14th birthday to you, Martin Giles, and enjoy cheering the Reds on at Old Trafford.

Wishing a happy birthday to Mansour Al Sabah. Have a wonderful day.

Many happy returns to Harrison May, here today celebrating his 12th birthday.

Happy birthday to John Hall from Wednesfield, West Midlands. With lots of love from all the family.

Happy 80th birthday to Gordon Howard and happy 60th birthday to Mark Daniel. Love from all the family.

Happy 10th birthday for today, Thomas Martin.

Happy 12 birthday, Albie Defries-Keep! Love from all your family.

Happy birthday to James Bracken, who is attending the match as a birthday treat. He recently turned nine and his love of football is a joy to us all. Love Mum, Dad and Aoife.

Happy birthday to season ticket holder Mikey Taylor-Flint, who turned 17 on 14 of August. From all your family and friends.

Sending many congratulations to Paul and Monique for their wedding on 21.06.2025!

MUSC Sligo branch members

Jack and Finn Conlon are pictured here with King Eric himself.

Happy 60th

Congratulations, Tom and Rachel,

A very happy 60th birthday, Mum With love from Tom, Rach, Billy, Dan, Stacey, Rob and Eric.

Congratulations to Sara and Paul Gray, who are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary and have both been United fans for 60 years. Sara’s all-time favourite player is Wayne Rooney and Paul’s is Gary Neville.

Matt, Emily and Mum.

‘We’re so proud to welcome Ciarán to the greatest football family in the world and can’t wait to get him to Old Trafford. Once a Red, always a Red.’

‘Happy seventh birthday, Liam. Turning seven is special, but sharing your birthday on 8 September with your hero, Bruno Fernandes, makes it even more magical. Your love for football, your passion for United, and your big heart make me proud every single day. Never stop dreaming, Liam – this is just the beginning. Happy birthday, my gorgeous son. Love, Mama.’

birthday, Dad! Hope you enjoy your first visit and match at Old Trafford. From

Happy 13th birthday, Sophie (right, with sister Kady). Lots of love from Daddy. COME ON, UNITED!

on your wedding. Love from Mum, Rob, Dan, Stacey and Billy.

Seven-year-old Louie Connolly is at Old Trafford today from Ireland – we hope you have a fantastic time at your first game!

Enjoy your first match, Reon, and have a very happy seventh birthday.

‘Birthday wishes to my grandson, Devan, who turned 13 on 4 August. This is his fifth season going to the games with me, Grandad Steven.’

Happy birthday to Archie Glasby (middle), who recently celebrated turning 15 by coming to the Fiorentina game. He’s pictured here with brother Hayden and best friend and grandad Michael Whiting.

Happy sixth birthday to Georgie He’ll be in the Stretford End today hoping for three points. Love from Daddy and Mel Mel.

Wishing a very happy birthday to Veslava Jurgelevic. Have a great day watching the game!

Happy 13th birthday, Henry Eckersley. Have a great day at the match, come on United! With lots of love from Mum, Dad and Erin.

Happy 14th birthday, Tyler HollimanHanley Love from Mum, all your family and us at United.

Happy 10th birthday to Dylan! Love from Mummy, Daddy and Ella.

Congratulations, Cohen, on becoming a teenager on 22 August. Love from Grandad, Janet, Mum, Dad and Savanna. Grandad is so proud you became a Red.

Happy birthday, Michael! Wishing you a great year ahead.

Shout-out to long-time supporter Paras Barot, and happy birthday for 20 August.

Happy eighth birthday, Theo Kingston. We hope you had a great time at the Fiorentina game. Lots of love, Daz, Mum, Dad, Lydia and Owen.

Welcome to the Theatre of Dreams, Eamonn Ferris, a lifelong United fan finally making the trip to watch a big victory! Love from the Prestons.

Dear Jacob Tilstone: happy 16th birthday for 12 August. Love from Uncle Adi, Emma and Cassie.

Wishing a happy 17th birthday to Gabrielle Barr for 5 August.

‘Happy birthday, Rich Harrison. I love you lots and I can’t wait to be your wife. Love from Sam.’

Wishing Ian Graves a very happy 60th birthday on 25 August. Love from Sheryl and family and all the best in his retirement.

Wishing George Clark a very happy 11th birthday, with love from all the family. His favourite player is Lisandro Martinez.

Isla Thompson, aged nine, is so excited to be here from Northern Ireland today for her first visit to the Theatre of Dreams. She’s obsessed with United and her favourite player is Bruno Fernandes. She eats, sleeps and breathes football, and dad Stephen couldn’t be prouder.

Wishing a very happy birthday for 18 August to Karmsheel Naidu, here today cheering on the Reds all the way from South Africa.

A very happy 40th birthday to Ryan James Deakin.

Happy birthday, Fraser. Love from Mum, Dad and family.

Happy 30th birthday, Dan Watkins. Love Mum and Ian.

A very big Old Trafford welcome to 11-year-old Connor Sweeney from Ireland. Always be proud of who you are, Connor, and keep practising your football skills at home. We’re proud to have you as a Red. United!

Happy 80th birthday to John WIlliams, who is here to celebrate with his family. He’s been a United fan for 72 years, and his original favourite player was Duncan Edwards. Others have been Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson, Gary Neville and, most recently, Harry Maguire. Have a great day, John!

We hope brothers Liam, 11, and Bobby, eight, had a great time on their first trip to Old Trafford when they visited from Ireland for the Fiorentina match with their family.

Ralph Rideout is a United and football-mad seven-year-old who recently travelled up for a surprise trip to the Fiorentina game. Hope you had a fantastic time!

Happy 12th birthday to you, Sam –here today with MUSC Dublin. Come on, you Reds!

To Adi Murphy: happy birthday for 17 August! Lots of love from Emma and Cassie.

Hello to Luke Roberts and daughter Alice Roberts. They’re supporting the Reds today from the Stretford End and looking forward to seeing our new signings in action.

Wishing a very big happy 12th birthday to Rory Normoyle Love Dad, Rhi and Ribbon.

RLH would like to wish Lloyd Henly a unforgettable day with his son, filled with what they cherish the most, which is spending time together –especially if United are involved.

A big welcome to Old Trafford to Bobby Gillen and Conor Clancy, who have travelled from Ireland with their dads, Robert and Patrick. This is Bobby’s first of many trips to the Theatre of Dreams.

Many happy returns to Caden (pictured with dad Will), who celebrated his 13th birthday by coming over from Ireland for his first-ever United game, at the Fiorentina match.

Happy birthday to Joe WardDutton, who turned nine on 11 August. Have a brilliant day at the game, love from Mum and Dad.

Happy 12th birthday, Logan Here’s wishing you and the team have the best birthday ever! All our love, Mum and Dad.

Hello to Hayden Joyce, here in the

today from

Happy birthday to Louis Seed, who turns seven today. He’s a massive Red here for his third time at Old Trafford, and his favourite current player is Rasmus Hojlund. Let’s celebrate with three points!

Bella Wheatley marked her 15th birthday recently with a trip to Old Trafford for United v Fiorentina. Hope you had a great time and enjoyed your celebrations.

‘A lifelong Red since 1962, our amazing dad, Kenwyn Roy Francis, has supported United through it all. A true fan, devoted father to Loredana and Valentina, and the proudest grandad to Theon and Harlan. We love you.’

crowd

Ireland with mam Linda and granny Betty.

We’d like to wish a happy 24th birthday for 15 August to Harjot Singh Brar from London. He’s here watching today and his favourite player is Amad.

‘Happy 60th birthday, Derek Brodigan. Enjoy your first match of the season! All my love, Julie.’

IN MEMORIAM

‘In memory of Colin Bates (27.03.196028.05.2025), a true Red. Colin first started coming to Old Trafford in 1972, when he used the coupons from the paper to get on the train from Halifax to Manchester. He then became a season ticket holder and was known as ‘K Stand Col’, for those who were there and may remember. He went on to travel all over the world with the team – in fact, I’m pretty sure he would sell a child to be at a game! We were honoured to lay his funeral flowers on the pitch. Colin would have loved it. Once a Red, always a Red!’

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of long-serving fan and season ticket holder, Sion Latter (back), in June, after a short battle with cancer. He will very much be missed by his amigo colleagues, Mark, Ben and James, who are here today in the Sir Alex Ferguson North Stand Upper hoping the Reds can secure three points for Sion. United forever.

In memory of Annie Dickinson, who recently passed away at the age of 93. She was an ex-season ticket holder and a popular member of the MUSC North East branch, and regularly travelled to games on their coach, along with her daughter, Dawn Gilmore. Known by many as Nancy, she was there on that epic night in Barcelona in 1999 as well as at several Wembley finals. She lost her beloved husband, Dickie, a number of years ago, sadly followed within 18 months by her son, David, and son-in-law, Joe. Rest in peace.

Happy 11th birthday, Ryan. We hope you enjoy your surprise trip to watch the Reds. Love, Mum, Dad, Keane, Callan and Tizer.

Mark was a kind and steady presence in the lives of those who knew him. A devoted father to Billie and a proud grandfather to Harlow and Harper, he cherished his family above all. His warmth, quiet strength, and gentle wisdom will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

‘Lifelong Red Christopher St. Leger would have been 84 today. He’s missed every day by his loving family. Happy birthday, Dad.’ Theodore Angelo Lenton. Born 10.07.2025, sadly passed away 11.07.2025. Once a Red, always a Red.

Adam James Ward was born on 24.04.1975 in Cambridge and suddenly passed away on 22.07.2025, shortly after his 50th birthday. Adam was a lifelong United fan, following in the footsteps of his mum, Josephine. He loved his trips with his sons, Callum and Freddie, to see the Reds play. Adam will be sorely missed by his family and friends. He leaves behind Ali and his two boys.

In loving memory of Susenyos Getachew, a devoted United supporter born in Ethiopia and living in the Washington D.C. area, who passed away aged 55. All his life, Susenyos followed the Reds with extraordinary dedication, collecting jerseys and making pilgrimages to Old Trafford. Among his favorite players was Roy Keane, whose fighting spirit he greatly admired. His passion for the club was shared with his father and passed to his sons, Dagi and Jonah, who requested their father be buried in his Reds jersey. His story joins that of many other devoted fans who make up the United family.

S TORY BEHIND THE SHO

TGoing behind the scenes at the revamped Carrington training ground, club photographer ASH DONELON (above) shares the special moment he captured Sir Alex Ferguson in high spirits as he takes in the kit room facilities…

KITTING UP FOR THE NEW CAMPAIGN

When and where:

Carrington training ground, Friday 8 August 2025.

Ash says:

“Shortly after the redeveloped men’s first-team building was officially opened, I photographed Sir Alex Ferguson and a handful of VIP guests on a private tour of the impressive new facilities at Carrington. Although the laundry and kit room may not be first on most people’s list of areas to visit, Sir Alex was insistent he wanted to pop in, and I took this photo as he shared a fun moment with Mark Ferendenus, United’s long-serving dressing room and laundry supervisor. The hard work done by Mark and his colleagues often goes under the radar, but it’s integral to the football team and it was clear Sir Alex appreciated that. On a day where I saw spaces that had changed beyond recognition, witnessing these two rolling back the years made me feel the club had retained its spirit.”

Reds JUNIOR

How did United win a historic first ‘double’?

How do you follow winning the first ever Premier League title – and your first championship in 26 years? Easy: by winning it again and adding the FA Cup in for good measure. An achievement that’s known in English football as doing the ‘Double’.

As 1993/94 began, any fears that Alex Ferguson’s side might lose their hunger after we were finally crowned champions (for the first time since 1967) were quickly swept away. From the very start of ’93/94, it was clear this team were still very much up for the fight and determined to keep hold of the crown. With the pressure of ending a title drought finally lifted, the Reds played with a new-found freedom and confidence.

Eric Cantona – who fans called ‘The King’ – had been the spark behind United winning the ’92/93 title, and his influence now grew even stronger. He scored more crucial goals throughout the new campaign, including a sensational free-kick in a 1-0 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford in September. But more than just goals, it was Cantona’s vision, swagger, and clever link-up play that made the team tick. United played like the champions they were. Peter Schmeichel was a giant in goal, commanding a solid defence led by Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister. Summer signing Roy Keane brought energy and bite to a midfield already patrolled by the tireless Paul Ince.

Talismanic no.7 Cantona raises a salute as his derby-clinching double in April takes the Reds a step closer to the title

Flying wingers Ryan Giggs and Andrei Kanchelskis stretched defences wide, while Cantona and striker Mark Hughes did the damage through the middle.

The Reds flew out of the blocks. Only a home draw with Newcastle denied us a perfect start, with four wins from the opening five Premier League games.

September brought three victories from four matches, the only setback being a surprise 1-0 defeat at Chelsea – one of just four league losses all season. October and November? Seven wins and a draw

from eight matches. By the new year, the Reds were 12 points clear at the top. One of the standout games in this run came in the Manchester derby at Maine Road. United were 2-0 down to City at half-time, but stormed back thanks to two goals from Cantona and a late winner from Keane. This comeback came days after a painful Champions League exit to Galatasaray, giving the team the perfect boost.

By the halfway point of the season, Ferguson had found his best starting

Double delight

XI – a line-up that every fan from that era can still rattle off in seconds: Schmeichel; Parker, Bruce, Pallister, Irwin; Kanchelskis, Keane, Ince, Giggs; Cantona, Hughes. That team of players appeared together 16 times across all competitions – and won every single game.

With support from club legends like Bryan Robson, Lee Sharpe and Brian McClair, United powered through the league and cups. A domestic treble – the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup – looked possible. But sadly that dream ended in March with a 3-1 League Cup final loss to Aston Villa at Wembley.

Briefly it felt like the title might slip away, too. Cantona was suspended after back-to-back red cards at Swindon and Arsenal, and defeat to our closest rivals Blackburn made things tight at the top of the table. But this team weren’t just talented, they were also tough. They dug deep without the Frenchman, then kicked on when he returned – reaching the FA Cup final, then producing a strong run of league form. Wins against Manchester City, Leeds, and Ipswich secured the Premier League crown with two games to spare. Champions again! But the season wasn’t over yet.

The Busby Babes had been denied a Double in 1957, winning the title but losing the Cup final to Aston Villa. Now it was Ferguson’s men with the chance of making history against Chelsea at Wembley, which they eventually did in style. The Reds scored four times in the last 30 minutes: Cantona coolly slotted home two penalties, while Hughes and McClair added two more. The perfect end to an unforgettable, historic season.

In winning both the league and FA Cup in the same season, the Reds became just the sixth team in the history of English football to do the ‘Double’. United have since achieved it twice more – in 1996 and 1999 – with Arsenal being the only other club to have done it three times. As of 2025, eight clubs have won the Double, with Aston Villa, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Preston and Tottenham also on this impressive list.

Ferguson is joined by his assistant Brian Kidd as the Reds celebrate back-to-back Premier League titles

A four-some win at Wembley against Chelsea secured us the Double

looking all WHITE!

Can you name the hidden stars from July’s friendly v Leeds, when we wore our smart new away kit?

DEBUT DELIGHT

Put these Reds in order of when they scored on their competitive United debut, ending with the most recent…

MEET THE MASCOTS

ELLIS THEO

ANSWERS

LOOKING ALL WHITE: 1. Diogo Dalot, 2. Manuel Ugarte, 3. Matheus Cunha

DEBUT DELIGHT: 1. Wayne Rooney (2004), 2. Anthony Martial (2015),

3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2016), 4. Daniel James (2019), 5. Joshua Zirkzee (2024)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Daniel James

Anthony Martial Wayne Rooney

Joshua Zirkzee

Participants from Manchester United Foundation’s disability projects donned the red shirt with distinction as they took on their counterparts from around the world in a unique inclusive football tournament in the United States.

Manchester United were one of 38 teams from 22 countries across the globe, spanning five continents, who descended on Houston, Texas, for a week-long celebration of disability football through the Genuine Cup, a tournament for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

There were also cultural visits all over the Space City for the participants to enjoy; at the NASA Johnson Space Center, the home of MLS outfit Houston Dynamo for an exclusive ground tour, and Daikin Park to see MLB side Houston Astros take to the field. The latter included the chance for one participant, Joe, to throw the ceremonial first pitch in front of thousands of Astros supporters.

The young people had the opportunity to test themselves against household-name opponents from South America and Europe – with the Reds coming up against Boca Juniors and facing Paris Saint-Germain at the 47,000 capacity Rice University Stadium. The Reds did themselves proud by always showing enthusiasm, grace and respect to their opponents in their six tournament matches, of which they won four.

Matt Pilkington, the Foundation’s disability and inclusion coordinator, said: “For us to bring the participants to the other side of the world and have the exposure of meeting new teams and experiencing new opportunities has been fantastic.

“It’s an unbelievable opportunity –some of the young people have never been abroad before, so have had to get passports to come on the trip. These are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for the group, and the football is secondary.

a genuine Privilege

A cup competition held in Houston, Texas offered a group of inclusive Foundation participants an incredible opportunity to represent United on the international stage

United’s Genuine Cup team, made up from members of the Foundation’s disability projects, gather in Houston, Texas for a highly enjoyable international tournament

The Reds take on PSG at the Rice University Stadium

The unique experience, which included cultural visits, created treasured memories for the group

It’s about enjoying the experiences, developing friendships and coming away with lifetime memories.”

All the young people who represented Manchester United in the tournament are participants from the Foundation’s disability projects, which range from inclusive community football sessions and partnerships with eight special educational needs schools.

Charley, 21, has been attending one of the football sessions – Ability Counts on a Friday evening, based at The Cliff training ground – for 15 years. He said: “I started going to Ability Counts when I was six; it’s been a massive part of my life. There are so many things I’ve done and memories I have, including playing at Old Trafford and Carrington. Going to Houston this week has been like the cherry on top of the cake – it’s been great.”

Faye, supported by the Foundation for three years while a student at Inscape House School, added: “The Foundation has made me feel very welcome, through the way they treated me and gave me opportunities, especially the Genuine Cup, which has been amazing. I feel very appreciated.”

Scaling Snowdon

An intrepid group of trekkers scaled the iconic Mount Snowdon on a challenging journey through the night at the start of this month, all in aid of Manchester United Foundation.

Twenty-nine climbers assembled in Llanberis village late at night on the first Saturday of August, hoping to catch sight of the sun rising over the horizon after completing their ascent, from the summit of the second-highest mountain in the United Kingdom.

Views of the peak failed to match those expectations due to the poor weather, but it was an incredible effort from all involved, helping

to raise more than £10,000 so far to support the Foundation’s work with young people across Manchester and other areas of outreach. Visit mufoundation.org/snowdon to donate to the cause.

Legends return

A team of Manchester United Legends will take on their Celtic counterparts on Saturday 6 September, with a 2pm kick-off at Celtic Park.

The two sides also met on the same weekend last year, playing out a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in aid of Manchester United Foundation (Wayne Rooney scoring, right), which raised almost £1 million for our community

work. This time around, the Celtic Foundation will benefit from all funds raised from the game. Michael Carrick, Nicky Butt and Wes Brown were all involved in last year’s meeting and have confirmed they will be back in action for the upcoming renewal of rivalries, with the rest of the United squad to be announced soon. Tickets are on sale now – to secure yours, visit ManUtd.com/tickets.

United were well represented in Houston, with the team winning four of six matches

The climbers unfurl their Foundation flag on Mount Snowdown as their efforts helped raise over £10,000

ACADEMY AMBITIONS

Everything you need to know from our world-famous youth set-up ahead of its 93rd season, with much to report from the summer

If there’s one area of the club particularly well-accustomed to transition, it’s the Academy, where young players and staff take forward steps in their careers with every passing week, and every summer is a time of change.

That’s been no different in 2025, with a couple of significant staff departures. Adam Lawrence has left after two highly successful seasons as Under-18s lead coach, with a club great appointed his successor. Director of academy Nick Cox is also set to leave the club, to become Everton’s technical director, but remains in his position to ensure a smooth handover. Those changes have drawn headlines, but, as always with the Academy, key values have remained consistent, and this summer’s pre-season schedule has looked very similar to that of the last two years.

NEW SCHOLARS

Twelve youngsters proudly signed their scholarships in a special ceremony at Old Trafford in late June, joined by family to mark their official start to life as full-time footballers. Tom Heaton, our 241st Academy graduate and current first-team goalkeeper, told them, in a Q&A: “It’s up to you to take responsibility and ownership. Look at yourself, what you’re good at, what you need to get better at, take responsibility for that, keep doing it, keep doing it, and you’ll give yourself the best chance of having a fantastic career. This football club demands that young players get an opportunity. It’s in the history. So if you do it, you keep doing it, that’s where you should be aiming.”

Each player received their club suit, a tradition dating back decades at United.

Congratulations to the scholars and good luck for the 2025/26 season. They are: Zach Watson (goalkeeper), Yuel Helafu, Rafe McCormack, Jayden Ngwashi and Jacob Watson (defenders), Eddie Ibrovic-Fletcher, Jay McEvoy and Jariyah Shah (midfielders), and Noah Ajayi, Neithan Barbosa, Louie Bradbury and Nathaniel-Junior Brown (forwards).

FLETCHER LEADING U18S

Darren Fletcher took charge of his first competitive fixture as Under-18s lead coach on Saturday, away at Everton. The former Scotland international came through United’s ranks in the early 2000s and became our 164th Academy graduate. Having won five Premier Leagues, two League Cups, the FA Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup in

Munro and Mantato gained valuable first-team experience as part of our Stateside tour

Reds stopper Heaton helped welcome our new Academy scholars with an inspiring talk

United icon Fletcher will head up our U18s this season with senior club figures labelling it a great appointment

a 12-year career, his advice and guidance to the next generation will be invaluable. Director of football Jason Wilcox said the club is “delighted” to have Fletcher lead the group, believing he will “further enhance our ability to produce world-class players ready to excel at Manchester United.” Fletcher’s tenure began with a speech at the scholars’ induction evening, which you can watch by scanning the QR code (right).

Sharing the clip, captain Bruno Fernandes backed Fletcher for great success in the role, calling him “top class as a person.” After the Old Trafford ceremony, pre-season continued with a training camp at adidas’s global headquarters in Germany before several friendlies and competitions, which are detailed below.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

The U18s entered the league season fresh from a fourth-placed finish at the Mladen Ramljak Memorial Tournament, in our third consecutive season competing at the Croatian competition. The young Reds defeated Juventus and Rapid Vienna in the group stages before closing out with a controversial draw with hosts Dinamo Zagreb, who progressed to the final, while United were beaten in the third-place

play-off by Benfica. Fletcher’s side played excellent football and built good connections.

The same was true for the U16s in Northern Ireland, as they finished runners-up at SuperCupNI, while the U21s enjoyed a domestic programme with friendlies against Macclesfield, Charlton Athletic, Fleetwood Town and Rochdale. The latter fixture was an opportunity to pay tribute and remember former Academy player and great friend of the club Joe Thompson, who died aged 36 in April. The day featured tributes from both sets of supporters, a minute’s applause in the 15th minute, and the retirement of Rochdale’s no.15 shirt.

OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE

Ethan Williams’ composed finish in a 4-1 victory over Bournemouth headlined Academy involvement on the first team’s USA tour. He described it as a “dream come true” and was joined by Bendito Mantato, Sekou Kone, Chido Obi, Jack Fletcher and Reece Munro, plus goalkeepers Dermot Mee and Will Murdock, with all benefiting from exposure to senior-level duties.

The U16s, meanwhile, are in Hong Kong right now, as part of our long-standing partnership with The Hong Kong Jockey Club. They’ll compete in two friendlies and a series of cultural exchanges, with Peter Schmeichel and Phil Jones along to provide advice and represent the club.

Coming up

THIS SEASON’S TOURNAMENTS

There are no significant changes to United’s Academy schedule this season. The U18s will compete in the U18 Premier League North, the U18 PL Cup and the historic FA Youth Cup. The U21s play 20 games in the 26-team Premier League 2, hoping to qualify for the 16-team end-of-season knockouts, and have three exciting cup competitions. They are the EFL Trophy and National League Cup, where they’ll face senior sides from League One/League Two (Barnsley, Notts County and Lincoln City in the groups) and National League/National League North, respectively. The latter campaign began at Tamworth on Wednesday night, with Brackley, Rochdale and Solihull Moors still to face.

MAKING A MARK ON LOAN

A number of Academy players will continue their development away from Old Trafford this season. Radek Vitek (right) has joined Bristol City and was named Player of the Match on his Championship debut, while Jack Moorhouse’s move to promotionchasing Leyton Orient is another enticing one. Ethan Wheatley (below) is also in League One, with Northampton Town, as is Dan Gore, who is back at Rotherham United. In League Two, there’s Joe Hugill (Barnet), Habeeb Ogunneye (Newport County), and Elyh Harrison (Shrewsbury Town).

academy

Overseas, new signing Enzo Kana-Biyik has linked up with Lausanne in Switzerland.

A dream moment for Williams while on tour with the first team in the US as he rounds off the Reds’ scoring in the 4-1 defeat of Bournemouth

25/26 THIRD JERSEY

Proven goal-getters

144

MICHAEL OWEN For Liverpool (118), Newcastle (26)

Summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo make the XI of our top-scoring Premier League recruits*…

ROBIN VAN PERSIE

96 for Arsenal

TEDDY

(1), Spurs (75)

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN

51 for Tottenham

38

ALAN SMITH

ANDREW COLE

43 for Newcastle

BRYAN MBEUMO

42 for Brentford

The Cameroonian’s personal-best tally of 20 top-flight goals last season ranked joint-fourth highest across the top flight. 96

All 38 for Leeds 33

ASHLEY YOUNG For Watford (3), Aston Villa (30)

MATHEUS CUNHA All 29 for Wolves *All goals scored in the Premier League prior to joining Manchester United

Cunha has netted double figures in each of the last two Premier League terms: 12 in 2023/24; 15 in 2024/25.

Introduce young Reds to 30 club legends and their incredible stories, with fantastic illustrations from artist Stanley Chow. Test your knowledge of the club with more than 1,400 questions on a range of topics and eras of the club’s history.

PREMIER LEAGUE

What will the opening weekend bring for the 20 top-flight clubs?

The first weekend of the league season always brings much intrigue – the new signings, the new rules (see p10), the new kits, and occasionally even the new stadiums (although Everton will need to wait another week for that).

The ’25/26 campaign began on Friday night, as Liverpool hosted Bournemouth, with five other games on Saturday: Aston Villa v Newcastle, Brighton v Fulham, Sunderland v West Ham, Tottenham v Burnley, and Wolves v Manchester City

Chances are you’ll already know the scores from all the above fixtures by the time you read this, but you might not yet know the outcome from today’s 2pm games – one of which

involves two London clubs who can claim four trophies between them in recent months: Chelsea (Conference League and Club World Cup) v Crystal Palace (FA Cup and Community Shield).

Kicking off at the same time is Nottingham Forest v Brentford at the City Ground. It’s set to be a special season for the hosts, as they look forward to European football for the first time since 1995/96, but can Nuno Espirito Santo’s men begin their domestic campaign against a Bees side that’s seen much change over the summer? Completing matchweek one on Monday is newly promoted Leeds against Everton – who could have their new no.18, Jack Grealish, in the starting XI.

APPEARANCES & GOALS, 2024/25 SEASON

Of the 31 players who featured for United in the Premier League last season, it was Noussair Mazraoui who appeared most often. The defender played in 37 of our 38 league games, missing only the trip to Brentford in May, and made 57 appearances in all competitions.

APPEARANCES & GOALS, 2024/25 SEASON

MANCHESTER UNITED

EDITOR Paul Davies

MANAGING EDITOR Charlie Ghagan

CONTRIBUTORS Joe Ganley, Mikey Partington, Harry Robinson, Sean Mullan, Andy Murray, Matthew Brown, Ste Canavan

PHOTOGRAPHY Ash Donelon, Zohaib Alam, Poppy Townson, Getty, Alamy, Mirrorpix

THANKS TO Andrew Ward, Toby Craig, George McCaffery, Ellie Decrop, Ian Nolan, Mark Froggatt PRINTED BY Buxton Press

While several players could make their Reds debut today, Luke Shaw – who has most Premier League appearances from Ruben Amorim’s squad – could move to the cusp of a milestone outing. Shaw sits on 198 PL apps ahead of today’s game, with Bruno Fernandes close behind him on 195

player stats

2025/26 FIXTURES

Manchester United and Greater Manchester Police have very detailed emergency procedures and contingency plans in place to deal with any emergency scenario which might arise at the stadium. Part of these procedures can involve evacuation plans should such an eventuality be required. We strongly advise that should any unforeseen emergency incident develop then

USED SUBSTITUTES

stadium zone-by-zone basis. It may be that certain zones are affected by an incident but not others. In such an event our main attention will be focused on the zone concerned. If you hear an announcement in an area other than your own, you should ignore it and respond only to messages directed towards your section or by stewards. All spectators are asked to respond calmly and as quickly as possible to emergency directions.

MATCHDAY TEXT SERVICE

Help tackle discriminatory or offensive behaviour inside Old Trafford by texting HELP to 66777* followed by the STAND, ROW and SEAT of the offender and then the nature of the problem. Allow us to do the rest.

*Texts are charged at the standard network rate.

The format is simple: two rounds of posers, with just two options for every question – but you need to score maximum marks!

Who did we play in the first Premier League game of last season?

FULHAM OR

What number did Robin van Persie wear for United?

OR

Who scored the Reds’ first-ever Premier League goal?

HUGHES BRIAN M c CLAIR OR

In which country was our first pre-season game this year?

Which of these players has represented both United and Arsenal?

SHINJI KAGAWA HENRIKH MKHITARYAN OR

At which current Premier League ground have the Reds played the most away games, across all competitions?

ANFIELD VILLA PARK OR

Who was the last player to score a United goal against Arsenal in the 20th century?

BECKHAM ROY KEANE OR

Which French club did summer signing Bryan Mbeumo play for?

STRASBOURG TROYES OR

Which current Reds youngster played a first-team game for Arsenal last season?

OR

Who were the first side United played in an opening PL game in multiple seasons? EVERTON NEWCASTLE OR DID YOU GET THEM ALL? IT’S A PASS FOR YOU! NOT QUITE?

LUCK NEXT TIME...

ANSWERS EASY: 1. Fulham, 2. 20, 3. Mark Hughes, 4. Sweden, 5. Henrikh Mkhitaryan; HARD: 6. Everton, 7. Anfield (99-95),

8. Roy Keane, 9. Troyes, 10. Ayden Heaven

7.

DAVID

AYDEN HEAVENCHIDO OBI

10.

MANCHESTER UNITED 25/26 HOME JERSEY

MANCHESTER UNITED ARSENAL

Altay BAYINDIR (GK)

Diogo DALOT

Noussair MAZRAOUI

Matthijs DE LIGT

Harry MAGUIRE

Lisandro MARTINEZ

Mason MOUNT

Bruno FERNANDES

Rasmus HOJLUND

Matheus CUNHA

Joshua ZIRKZEE

Tyrell MALACIA

Patrick Chinazaekpere DORGU

YORO

Alejandro GARNACHO

Bryan MBEUMO ANTONY

Tom HEATON (GK)

Luke SHAW

Andre ONANA (GK)

Manuel UGARTE

Ayden HEAVEN

Benjamin SESKO

Chido OBI

Tyler FREDRICSON

Diego LEON

Kobbie MAINOO

Jack FLETCHER

Harry AMASS

Sekou KONE

Toby COLLYER

Dermot MEE (GK)

Ethan WILLIAMS

Reece MUNRO

Bendito MANTATO

Jadon SANCHO

David RAYA (GK)

William SALIBA

Cristhian MOSQUERA

Ben WHITE GABRIEL

Bukayo SAKA

Martin ODEGAARD

Gabriel JESUS

Gabriel MARTINELLI

Jurrien TIMBER

Kepa ARRIZABALAGA (GK)

Viktor GYOKERES

Jakub KIWIOR

Christian NORGAARD

Oleksandr ZINCHENKO

Leandro TROSSARD

Noni MADUEKE

Fabio VIEIRA

Ethan NWANERI

Mikel MERINO

Reiss NELSON

Albert SAMBI LOKONGA

Kai HAVERTZ

Karl HEIN (GK)

Riccardo CALAFIORI

Martin ZUBIMENDI Declan RICE

Myles LEWIS-SKELLY

(Squad lists correct at time of print and squad numbers subject to change until closure of transfer window)