Two of the biggest clubs in English football will lock horns for a glamour friendly in California on Saturday evening, with Arsenal taking on Manchester United.
Arsenal are working their way towards their 2024-25 Premier League opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 17, while Man United will begin their new campaign against bitter rivals Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 10.
Match preview
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Arsenal's first match of their summer tour of the United States saw them tackle Bournemouth on Wednesday evening, with the two sides playing out a 1-1 draw, before the Gunners won 5-4 on penalties.
Fabio Vieira sent Mikel Arteta's side ahead in the 18th minute of the contest, but Bournemouth were back on terms in the 73rd minute through Antoine Semenyo.
The Gunners will take on Man United and Liverpool in their final two matches in the United States before heading back to England for friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon.
Arteta's side will then begin their 2024-25 Premier League campaign against Wolves on August 17, and it will be fascinating to see how the team perform this season, having now finished second in the last two league seasons behind the powerful force that is Man City.
Arsenal have had a quiet summer thus far, with David Raya's arrival on a permanent basis from Brentford proving to be their major piece of business, but it is expected to be a busy next few weeks on the transfer front.
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Man United, meanwhile, have played twice this summer, opening their preparations for the new campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Rosenborg on July 15, but they beat Rangers 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Devils are now preparing for three games in the United States against Arsenal, Real Betis and Liverpool, before heading back to England for the Community Shield against Man City on August 10.
Erik ten Hag's side will then begin their 2024-25 Premier League campaign six days later against Fulham, and there is big pressure on the team to perform this term, having finished eighth in England's top flight in 2023-24.
Man United have made two signings this summer, bringing in Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro from Bologna and Lille respectively, but they are working on a number of other deals, with the squad set to be further strengthened in time for the new season.
The 20-time English champions want a central midfielder and another centre-back, but there will have to be more departures before that becomes possible, and like with Arsenal, it is expected to be a very busy next few weeks for the Red Devils in the transfer market.
Team News
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Declan Rice, Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka, Raya and William Saliba are absent for Arsenal due to their involvement in the latter stages of this summer's European Championship.
However, Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz are set to link up with the squad ahead of this match, so there is a slight chance that they could be involved against Man United.
Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu are not in the squad due to injuries, but the likes of Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Jorginho Jurrien Timber, Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko should start.
Karl Hein is again set to be given the nod between the sticks, but Emile Smith Rowe is unlikely to be involved, with the attacker thought to be closing in on a move away from the Emirates Stadium.
As for Man United, new signing Yoro made his debut against Rangers on Saturday, and he is again expected to be in the Red Devils XI for this contest.
Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay have all made the trip despite their involvement in Euro 2024, but Tyrell Malacia remains on the sidelines through injury, while Altay Bayindir, Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Pellistri and Luke Shaw have not made the trip due to international commitments.
There will also be no Zirkzee for Man United, with the striker set to link up with his new teammates once the Red Devils have returned from their tour.
Amad Diallo was impressive against Rangers last time out and is set to keep his spot in the side, while Casemiro, Mason Mount, Hojlund and Marcus Rashford could also be in the XI for the glamour friendly.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Hein; White, Timber, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Thomas, Jorginho, Odegaard; Vieira, Jesus, Trossard
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Yoro, Evans, Amass; Casemiro, McTominay, Mount; Amad, Hojlund, Rashford
We say: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United
It is always difficult to know exactly what to expect when two major teams meet in a pre-season friendly, especially in unfamiliar surroundings. However, with both managers having strong squads, we are expecting a tight match, with the spoils potentially being shared on Saturday night.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
