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Manchester United head to the Emirates for clash with Arsenal

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (left) and Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will see their teams clash on Sunday. PHOTOS: AFP, REUTERS

It is always a big occasion when Arsenal and Manchester United meet, and the timing of Sunday’s English Premier League clash in London could allow both clubs to send a message about their potential title ambitions heading into the September international break.

After a surprising second-place finish last season, Arsenal, with seven points so far, have done their part to prove they are not going anywhere. Even their lone blemish on the season, a 2-2 home draw against Fulham last weekend, included an encouraging fightback from a goal down to briefly take a 2-1 lead.

They have also weathered a short-term injury absence of attacker Gabriel Jesus, with Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah each scoring twice over Arsenal’s first three matches.

With Jesus available on Sunday – having made a very brief cameo in the Fulham draw – manager Mikel Arteta admits a win would be a momentum builder, even if he thinks it is a bit too early to declare anyone a true challenger to Manchester City, the three-time defending champions.

“We all want to win games, we all want to play the best possible way,” the Spaniard said on Friday.

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“That’s (a victory) not going to dictate but it gives you momentum and belief. Before the international break, it’s very important to finish well and win your game and go into September with another block of games on a high.”

Despite dropping points last week, the Arsenal boss insisted he is pleased with the performance and remains positive.

“Really happy, I said against Fulham, and I have watched the game twice, that we played ten times better, six or ten, but we definitely played much better (than before). But it’s all about the results,” he added.

Jesus’ return will be a boost, while Takehiro Tomiyasu also returns from a one-game suspension. Oleksandr Zinchenko is close to a full recovery from a calf issue, but long-term absentees Jurrien Timber and Mohamed Elneny remain out.

The Gunners and the Red Devils have two wins apiece in their last four league meetings, with the home team winning on all four occasions, so Arteta’s men might have a slight advantage on Sunday.

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United, who have six points, have also certainly looked vulnerable at times this season, suffering a hefty 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur two weeks ago and having to overcome an early two-goal deficit in last weekend’s 3-2 home win over Nottingham Forest.

But Erik ten Hag’s men deserve credit for enduring some key absences early on, and the picture appears to be clearing heading into the weekend.

Summer signing Rasmus Hojlund is set to make his club debut and could even start after a back issue kept the Danish striker out in August

“He had a good training week, we still have a final training but he is doing well, he is responding well, so yeah he will be available for Sunday’s game,” ten Hag said on Friday.

And the club have added Sergio Reguilon on loan from Tottenham as well to fill an urgent need at left-back after a pair of injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

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“He is a very experienced player, a player for big clubs, a player that’s played already a lot of games in La Liga, in the Premier League,” ten Hag added of Reguilon.

“While we had a problem with Luke Shaw injured, Ty Malacia injured, they are for long term out, so I think we responded very well in that emergency situation.”

United were also able to get Moroccan standout Sofyan Amrabat on loan with an option to buy from Italian Serie A side Fiorentina to help bolster their midfield, following an injury to Mason Mount.

Veteran centre-back Raphael Varane is out for a few weeks after coming off at half-time against Forest, so Victor Lindelof should deputise on Sunday.

Reuters/ AFP

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Premier League

Maguire handed suspended prison sentence for 2020 brawl 

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Premier League - Manchester United v Aston Villa - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - May 25, 2025 Manchester United's Harry Maguire reacts REUTERS/Chris Radburn/File Photo 

England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been handed a 15-month suspended prison sentence ​by a Greek court over a 2020 ‌incident in Mykonos, Sky Sports reported on Wednesday.

In 2020, Maguire was found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted ​bribery and violence against public employees after ​his arrest in a brawl in which ⁠two police officers were assaulted.

Maguire, who was detained ​for two days following the incident and denied ​any wrongdoing, was handed a suspended prison sentence of 21 months and 10 days but was granted a full ​retrial after appealing against Greek court convictions on ​multiple charges.

In accordance with the Greek judicial process, the filing ‌nullified ⁠Maguire’s conviction before a full retrial in a more senior court. His retrial was postponed many times.

Maguire faced allegations of non-serious assault, resisting arrest ​and attempted ​bribery. The ⁠32-year-old was convicted on all three counts but will face no prison time. ​His legal team will appeal against ​the ⁠guilty verdict, Sky Sports reported.

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Maguire’s brother Joe and friend Christopher Sharman were also found guilty of offences ⁠related ​to the incident and received ​suspended prison sentences in 2020. They also denied any wrongdoing.

-Reuters

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Timber header earns Arsenal crucial win over Chelsea

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 Arsenal's David Raya celebrates after Jurrien Timber scores their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Arsenal maintained control of the Premier League title race as they chiselled out a nervy 2-1 win over London rivals Chelsea to open up a five-point lead at the top of the table on Sunday.

Jurrien Timber’s 66th-minute header from a Declan Rice corner ensured Arsenal took three precious points, but it was a nervy afternoon in north London.

Mikel Arteta’s side moved to 64 points from 29 games, with Manchester City, who have played a game fewer, on 59.

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Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber celebrates scoring their second goal with Gabriel Magalhaes REUTERS/Jaimi Joy 

Defender William Saliba had given Arsenal the lead in the 21st minute from a trademark corner routine.

But it had looked as though an own goal by Piero Hincapie just before halftime would prove costly for the hosts until Timber came to their rescue.

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Chelsea, whose six-match unbeaten league sequence under new manager Liam Rosenior was halted, ended the match with 10 men after Pedro Neto was sent off for a second yellow card.

-Reuters

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Manchester United climb to third in Premier League table with come-from-behind win over Palace

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 Premier League - Manchester United v Crystal Palace - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - March 1, 2026 Manchester United's Matheus Cunha in action with Crystal Palace's Daniel Munoz REUTERS/Phil Noble

Manchester United produced a stirring second-half comeback to defeat Crystal Palace 2–1 at Old Trafford on Sunday, with captain Bruno Fernandes inspiring the turnaround that lifted the hosts into third place in the Premier League standings.

Trailing inside four minutes after a dominant start by Palace, United responded through a Fernandes penalty before his pinpoint free-kick was headed home by Benjamin Sesko to seal victory against the 10-man visitors.

The win extended interim manager Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run to seven matches since taking charge in mid-January. United now have 51 points from 28 games and are unbeaten since the January 5 dismissal of Ruben Amorim, climbing into third for the first time since May 2023. Palace remain 14th on 35 points.

“It feels like a big result, we were behind and had to show some character,” Fernandes told Sky Sports. “There are a lot of games to go still, and it is important that we don’t feel that we are in the position that we need to be. We need to make as many points as we can.”

Palace, under Oliver Glasner, were electric in the opening half hour, capitalising on sluggish United play. Defender Maxence Lacroix powered home a header from a corner after muscling past Leny Yoro, scoring the earliest goal United have conceded this season.

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The visitors nearly doubled their advantage when Daniel Munoz latched onto an Ismaila Sarr through ball, but goalkeeper Senne Lammens produced a crucial save.

United gradually found their rhythm before the break. Sesko forced Dean Henderson into action with a header from a Fernandes cross, and the Palace keeper also tipped a Fernandes free kick over the bar.

The turning point arrived in the 57th minute when Fernandes converted from the penalty spot after Matheus Cunha was dragged down by Lacroix. Following a lengthy VAR review, Lacroix was shown a red card, reducing Palace to 10 men.

Eight minutes later, Fernandes’ delivery again proved decisive as Sesko rose highest to nod home the winning goal.

United pushed for a third, with Casemiro’s volley drawing a diving save from Henderson and substitute Amad Diallo testing the keeper from distance in stoppage time. Joshua Zirkzee saw efforts blocked, while Kobbie Mainoo’s fierce strike drifted narrowly wide.

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Carrick praised his team’s resilience. “The biggest thing for us to take from the game is really the first time that we have been in that situation going in at halftime,” he said. “Being in that position and how we react and showing that personality and belief… to then come back as we did in the second half is the biggest thing for me today.”

Palace pressed late but could not find an equaliser. Glasner admitted his side had let the game slip. “It feels like there was more possible today. A great first 30 minutes, but the red card changed it completely. The second goal just happened too quickly.”

For United, the victory reinforces growing belief under Carrick that a top-four finish—and a return to Europe’s elite competition—is firmly within reach.

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