Manchester United face their biggest test of the season this weekend when they lost league leaders Arsenal. United are flying high after victory over rivals Manchester City last week, but taking on Arsenal away from home will be a wholly different challenge.
Arsenal currently sit 4 points clear at the top of the league, with the ability to go 7 points clear if they beat United. The Gunners are also unbeaten at home all season, and for the first time in months, have an entirely fit squad after the recently announced returns of Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie to training earlier this week.
United will face an uphill struggle against the best team in the league. But with the high spirits around Old Trafford after the removal of Ruben Amorim as manager, and victory against City last week, United might be able to snatch a result.
Every United player will need to perform if the team is to get a result. But some players will be crucial to United's potential success. Here are three players that are crucial to United's starting XI.
3 players that have to start for Man United against Arsenal
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes is a non-negotiable starter in virtually every game he plays. He is United's captain, and primary facilitator for United's offense. United are always a better team when he is on the pitch.
Fernandes is also one of the only players on United's team that is superior to his Arsenal counterpart. Martin Odegaard is talented, but hardly brings as much to the team as Fernandes does. It gives United a distinct advantage, as Fernades' talent, as well as absurd fitness and work rate, make him virtually unchallenged in the midfield battle.
Fernandes will certainly have his work cut out for him, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi form the best midfield in the league, and Bruno will have to be at the top of his game in order to cope.
Bryan Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo left a huge hole in United's attack when he departed for AFCON in December 2025. Mbeumo is United's top scorer this season, and returned to United just in time to bag a goal last week against Man City.
The Cameroonian attacker will likely be played as a makeshift striker, and will have to work hard to get any space or chances in the final third. Players who have attempted to challenge Arsenal centre-backs Gabriel and William Saliba either physically or in the air often fall short.
Mbeumo will have to use his ability to find space off the ball, most likely in the right channel he often favours, to help United get a result at the Emirates.
Lisandro Martinez
Martinez's role in the team was a hot topic of conversation before the Manchester derby, especially among United pundits. Martinez's short stature makes him a target for many attackers, but Martinez held his own against the far taller Erling Haaland as United earned a clean sheet.
Martinez will need to produce another high-quality performance against Arsenal. Arsenal's set-piece ability is well-known, and Arsenal will likely attempt to target him. Martinez is still United's best option, espeically with the prolonged absence of Matthijs de Ligt.
Martinez is one of the finest ball-playing defenders on the planet, but will need to fight hard to compete with the height of the Arsenal team. His ability can shine through, and he can be a remarkable asset to the team, which must not be overlooked just because United fear a mismatch in height.