Arsenal vs Manchester United predictions and betting tips – Can Carrick win again?

Arsenal are seven points clear at the top of the Premier League heading into the weekend, but it is too early for Mikel Arteta’s men to get carried away. There is still plenty of football to be played this term.

Manchester United began Michael Carrick’s tenure with a fantastic win against Manchester City. Can their new boss make it two in a row on Sunday?

• Arsenal to win – 3/5 with 247Bet
• Both teams to score – 8/11 with Paddy Power
• Bukayo Saka to score or assist – 4/5 with Sky Bet

Arsenal vs Manchester United odds

Find the latest Arsenal vs Manchester United betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Arsenal vs Manchester United predictions

A few prominent former Manchester United players have already ruled out Michael Carrick getting the managerial job at Old Trafford full-time.

“There cannot be any consideration that Michael takes the job beyond this season, for Michael and for the club,” Gary Neville told The Overlap last week. It is a view shared by many others.

Yet if United continue to perform like they did in a 2-0 victory over Manchester City last weekend, Carrick surely has a chance of landing the job permanently.

Granted, the former midfielder has little in the way of top-level coaching experience. He managed Middlesbrough with mixed success for three years, but that was his only frontline job before United.

Many will also point to the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer episode, when United handed a permanent deal to an interim manager despite doubts over his long-term suitability for the role.

At this stage, though, it would be as unwise to categorically rule Carrick out as it would be to appoint him right now. 

If he wants a reason to believe he is in with a chance, Carrick only needs to look at the man in the opposing dugout at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Arsenal handed the reins to Mikel Arteta in late 2019 despite the fact he had never managed before. Coaching potential, plus his knowledge of the club, ultimately earned the Spaniard the job.

There have been ups and downs along the way, but it has proved to be an inspired appointment. Even Arteta’s biggest critics cannot deny that he has taken the club forward.

Could Carrick do the same at United? We cannot answer that question on the back of one game, regardless of how well his team played against Manchester City.

United must build on that success in the weeks ahead. Champions League qualification remains a realistic objective for the Red Devils, who are just one point outside the top four at present. Get there and Carrick would be in the mix.

A trip to the Emirates represents the toughest test in English football at the moment, however. Arsenal extended their lead at the summit of the standings to seven points last weekend, and they are now odds-on favourites to win the title.

The bookies expect Arsenal to win on Sunday too, so an away victory for Carrick’s side would really make people sit up and take notice.

Arsenal vs Manchester United betting tips

Arsenal and Manchester United will go at it in the penultimate game of the Premier League weekend.

Arsenal to edge it

Manchester United were much improved against Manchester City, but it will be hard for them to replicate that performance here.

Arsenal are a difficult team to face, particularly on their home patch. They can beat opponents by outplaying them, or by being physical and edging the set-piece battle.

United will sit deep and aim to cause Arsenal problems on the counter-attack, but the home team’s out-of-possession structure should allow them to see off that threat.

Question marks remain over the United defence, and those vulnerabilities will be tested by Arsenal’s attacking players.

Pick Arsenal to win at 3/5 with 247Bet

Man Utd can score

Despite the aforementioned factors that point to an Arsenal victory, Manchester United can score on Sunday.

Even under Ruben Amorim, United generally carried a threat going forward. That was a major weakness last term, but the Red Devils have been much more effective this time around.

Indeed, only Manchester City and Arsenal have scored more goals than United in 2025/26.

Meanwhile, the Gunners have conceded in three of their last four home matches in the Premier League.

Choose both teams to score at 8/11 with Paddy Power

Saka one to watch

Bukayo Saka was left out of Arsenal’s starting XI against Nottingham Forest last weekend, but he was back in the team for the 3-1 victory over Inter on Tuesday.

Arsenal have such strength in depth that they are able to shuffle their pack more easily than any other team in the league, but it would be a surprise if Saka was left out here.

Throughout the Arteta era, Saka has so often been the man to deliver for Arsenal in the final third.

The England international, who is still only 24, has contributed a combined 12 goals and assists in all competitions this campaign.

We are backing him to add another to his tally against Manchester United.

Tip Bukayo Saka to score or assist at 4/5 with Sky Bet

Arsenal vs Manchester United predicted lineups

• Arsenal expected lineup: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.
• Manchester United expected lineup: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo.

Where to watch Arsenal vs Manchester United

• Location: Emirates Stadium, London, England.
• Date and time: Sunday 25th January, 4.30pm.
• How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

More Premier League predictions

We have plenty more Premier League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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