Manchester United host Arsenal in a blockbuster clash on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.
It is building up to be a striker showdown at Old Trafford on Sunday with both sides investing heavily in a new centre forward this summer.
Arsenal parted with £64million to prise Viktor Gyokeres away from Sporting CP having walked away from talks to sign Benjamin Sesko, who was thought to be the club’s leading target earlier in the summer.
It allowed United to enter the fray, winning the race to sign Sesko who turned down a move lucrative move to Newcastle United to seal his move to Old Trafford.
Arsenal fans have already got a glimpse of their new no14, featuring in pre-season games against Tottenham, Villarreal and Athletic Club.
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While Kai Havertz has provided a good account of himself this summer having recovered from a hamstring injury, Gyokeres will surely be given the nod on Sunday.
Sesko however is still to play for his new club, only joining training on Wednesday following his £73m move from RB Leipzig.
Ruben Amorim may resist the temptation to throw his new striker straight in and may consider a role off the bench.
Mason Mount started as a false nine to little success in United’s final pre-season match against Fiorentina and with Rasmus Hojlund firmly out of the first-team picture as it stands, Sesko will be desperate to make an immediate impact.
Joshua Zirkzee could be another option having also returned to training this week.
Andre Onana is in a race to recover in time from the hamstring injury he suffered on the second day of pre-season training back in July.
The Cameroon international missed every pre-season game with the issue with Altay Bayindir stepping in but while his long-term future at United is uncertain, Onana is hopeful of being available this weekend.
Noussair Mazraoui has not featured since picking up a knock in United’s first pre-season match against Leeds while Lisandro Martinez is still working his way back from a serious knee injury.
Arsenal meanwhile have a relatively clean bill of health with Leandro Trossard expected to be available after picking up a minor knock in the win over Athletic Bilbao.
Riccardo Calafiori and Havertz both featured in that game after shaking off knocks but Gabriel Jesus remains sidelined.
Man Utd XI to face Arsenal – Metro prediction
We are backing Sesko to get the nod up front but Matheus Cunha or Bryan Mbeumo could also be handed a role through the middle, allowing Bruno Fernandes to take up a more advanced role.
Arsenal XI to face Man Utd – Metro prediction
Arsenal’s new starting XI pretty much picks itself – Noni Madueke will hope to force himself into the starting XI but Arteta may keep faith in Gabriel Martinelli for now.
Manchester United vs Arsenal TV channel and kick-off time
United vs Arsenal takes centre stage on Sunday 17 August with kick-off scheduled for 4:30pm.
You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.
You can also follow all the action with Metro’s LIVE match day blog.
