The Premier League curtain-raiser couldn’t have picked a bigger fixture, Manchester United against Arsenal at Old Trafford. 

But as the countdown to Sunday gathers pace, both managers are grappling with the same headache: missing stars. Here are the players set to miss out and why.

Andre Onana – Manchester United

The Cameroon international is battling a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the entire pre-season. He has been replaced by Altay Bayindir in recent matches, and unless there’s a last-minute breakthrough in training, United’s new No. 1 for the opener could once again be the Turkish keeper.

Lisandro Martinez – Manchester United

Martinez’s long-term injury issues continue to keep him off the pitch. Although he travelled with the squad during their US tour, the Argentine centre-back has yet to reach full fitness. Amorim may have to reshuffle his defence in his absence.

Noussair Mazraoui – Manchester United

The Moroccan right-back hasn’t featured since limping off in United’s first pre-season game. The club has been tight-lipped about his exact injury, but his continued absence from training makes his involvement against Arsenal highly unlikely.

Joshua Zirkzee – Manchester United

The Dutch striker is sidelined with fitness concerns and has also been caught up in speculation over his future following the arrival of Benjamin Sesko. Even though he initially targeted the season opener for his return, doubts remain over his readiness.

Gabriel Jesus – Arsenal

A recurring knee problem has kept Jesus out since early 2025. His absence once again forces Mikel Arteta to turn to alternatives up front, with new signing Viktor Gyökeres expected to lead the line.

Leandro Trossard – Arsenal

Trossard picked up a groin injury just before the season kicked off, missing Arsenal’s final pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao. While Arteta hopes he can recover in time, a late fitness check will determine if he’s available.

What this means for the game

With such high-profile absentees, both Reuben Amorim and Mikel Arteta will need to be inventive with their starting XIs. 

For United, the defensive and goalkeeping reshuffle could be a major test, while Arsenal must prove they can thrive without two of their most creative attackers.