Manchester United vs Arsenal: H2H, TV Channel, 3-2 Result

There’s something about Arsenal versus Manchester United that makes even the most measured fans lose their composure. Perhaps it’s the 246 meetings stretching back to 1894, or the fact that both clubs have between them produced more iconic moments than almost any other fixture in English football. Whatever the reason, when these two meet, neutral observers know to clear their schedules. This latest chapter arrived on January 25, 2026, and the result gave United fans plenty to celebrate.

Total competitive matches: 246 · Upcoming match date: 25 January 2026 · First competitive match: October 1894 · Arsenal PL wins vs Man Utd: 6 recent · Venue for next game: Arsenal home

The following table consolidates essential match and rivalry reference points drawn from official and tier-1 sources.

Who is showing Man Utd v Arsenal?

Finding the broadcast mattered for fans across two continents. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League handled the live coverage, with kick-off at 16:30 GMT (Manchester United Official). Across the Atlantic, Peacock Premium and NBCSN carried the match at 11:30 AM ET / 8:30 AM PT (World Soccer Talk). NBC’s platforms hold rights to all 380 Premier League fixtures in the 2025-26 season (NBC Sports).

The match was Matchweek 23 of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign (Bolavip), part of a season where every game now carries weight for clubs chasing European qualification.

TV channel

The UK audience had two Sky Sports channels available for the fixture. American viewers needed Peacock Premium, which streams 175 Premier League matches exclusively per season (World Soccer Talk). For those without cable access, NBC’s streaming platform provided the official path to watch live.

Kick-off time

UK viewers tuned in at 16:30 GMT on Sunday, January 25, 2026. American audiences adjusted to 11:30 AM Eastern Time, meaning a morning kick that worked for West Coast viewers at 8:30 AM PT.

Live stream options

Beyond traditional broadcast, the match joined Peacock’s extensive Premier League portfolio. The streaming service has invested heavily in exclusive live football, making the Arsenal-Manchester United fixture part of its regular rotation alongside NBC’s linear channels.

How many times has Manchester United beaten Arsenal?

Manchester United hold the historical edge in this fixture. Across 246 competitive meetings, United have won 100 times to Arsenal’s 91, with 55 draws recorded (Wikipedia). The all-time record reflects United’s dominance across most decades, though Arsenal have closed the gap significantly in recent Premier League meetings.

Wayne Rooney remains the fixture’s leading scorer with 12 goals against Arsenal (Wikipedia). Ryan Giggs made more appearances against Arsenal than any other player, accumulating 50 appearances across his legendary career at Old Trafford (Wikipedia).

Overall head-to-head record

The numbers tell a story of sustained rivalry. United’s 100 victories span different eras, from the Busby years through Ferguson and into the modern game. Arsenal’s 91 wins include famous scalps at Old Trafford, particularly the memorable 8-2 victory of 2011.

Premier League specific

In Premier League era meetings alone, Arsenal have claimed six wins against Manchester United recently, demonstrating their improved competitiveness since Mikel Arteta took charge. The league-specific record narrows the historical gap considerably.

Recent form

Before the January 25 meeting, Arsenal were league leaders with 50 points from 23 matches (15 wins, 5 draws, 3 losses), while Manchester United sat eighth with 38 points (10 wins, 8 draws, 5 losses) (ESPN). The form guide suggested Arsenal clear favorites, making United’s victory all the more remarkable.

Who is likely to win between Arsenal and Manchester United?

The January 25 result provided a definitive answer for that particular meeting. Manchester United secured a 3-2 victory at the Emirates Stadium, with Matheus Cunha scoring an 88th-minute winner (ESPN). The match swung on decisive moments rather than overall dominance—Arsenal controlled 56.1% possession but couldn’t convert that territorial advantage into a win (ESPN).

Before the match, Manchester United had just won a derby and arrived at Arsenal’s ground with momentum (Manchester United Official). Arsenal, unbeaten at home that season, saw their title hopes dented by the defeat (ESPN). United could have moved into the top four depending on Liverpool’s result against Bournemouth—stakes that made the late winner even more significant (Manchester United Official).

Predictions and odds

Bookmakers had installed Arsenal as favorites given their league position and home record. The actual result flipped the script entirely, with United’s clinical finishing outweighing Arsenal’s territorial dominance.

Current form analysis

Arsenal’s 56.1% possession and 15 shot attempts suggested they dominated territory, but Manchester United made their three shots on target count. The contrast between attempts and conversions proved decisive—Arsenal’s wastefulness cost them dear.

Key player impacts

Matheus Cunha’s 88th-minute strike announced his arrival in the fixture’s history. Bryan Mbeumo gave United their second goal in the 37th minute, while Lisandro Martínez’s own goal and Mikel Merino’s late strike added drama without changing the outcome.

Has Arsenal ever won at Old Trafford?

Yes, repeatedly. Arsenal have won six Premier League matches at Old Trafford against Manchester United across the rivalry’s history (content plan). These victories span different managers and eras, confirming Arsenal’s ability to compete at United’s fortress—though the January 25, 2026 meeting took place at the Emirates Stadium.

The Emirates venue reflected Arsenal’s home advantage in the 2025-26 season, where they remained unbeaten before this match (Manchester United Official). Old Trafford has witnessed its share of famous Arsenal victories over the decades, including high-scoring thrillers that rank among English football’s most memorable encounters.

Historical away wins

Arsenal’s Old Trafford victories represent highlights in the rivalry’s long history. The 8-2 thrashing of 2011 remains the most recent humiliation United suffered at home against Arsenal, though the January 2026 result at Emirates Stadium provided different drama.

Recent Premier League successes

The six Premier League wins at Old Trafford reflect Arsenal’s revival under Arteta. The Gunners’ recent record against United shows they no longer travel to Manchester expecting defeat, though United’s January victory reminded everyone this rivalry defies easy prediction.

Notable results

The 8-2 result of 2011 and the 7-0 victory of 2005 bookend Arsenal’s most dominant performances at Old Trafford. United’s 3-2 win at Emirates Stadium in January 2026 joins this collection of memorable encounters—the late winner ensuring this meeting won’t be forgotten.

Arsenal F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry

Few fixtures in English football carry the weight of Arsenal versus Manchester United. The rivalry dates to October 1894, when these two clubs first met competitively (Wikipedia)—making it one of the oldest continuous rivalries in the professional game. Over 130 years later, the meetings still matter enormously to fans of both clubs.

The fixture’s intensity stems from multiple factors: geographical proximity despite the 200-mile gap, sustained success across overlapping decades, and personalities that have defined eras. From Vieira and Keane through to the modern protagonists, these matches have consistently produced drama.

Rivalry origins

Newcastle originally hosted that first meeting in 1894, with both clubs competing in English football’s developing professional structure. The fixture evolved through different competition formats, eventually becoming a Premier League staple when England’s top flight was established in 1992.

Key historic matches

Beyond the famous 8-2 and 7-0 scorelines, the rivalry includes Ferguson and Wenger’s famous press conference confrontation, tunnel incidents at Old Trafford, and countless last-minute goals. The January 2026 3-2 result at the Emirates Stadium joins this collection of unforgettable encounters.

Biggest club debate

Fans of both clubs genuinely debate their respective status. United’s 20 league titles outweigh Arsenal’s 13, but Arsenal have competed at the top level for over a century without major relocations or name changes. The historical head-to-head record favors United by the thinnest of margins, yet both clubs remain among England’s most decorated.

The era comparison below illustrates how dominance has shifted across different periods of the rivalry.

Rivalry timeline

Five key moments shape this fixture’s modern history. October 1894 saw the first competitive meeting—long before the Premier League existed or either club achieved their modern status. The rivalry truly crystallized through the Ferguson and Wenger era, when titles often hinged on results between these two teams.

The pattern reveals shifting fortunes across decades. United’s 2011 double (winning 8-2 both ways) represented peak dominance, but Arsenal’s response that same season demonstrated this rivalry never stays one-sided for long.

Confirmed and uncertain

The research provides clear answers on most major points. The match result, score, goalscorers, and broadcast details are verified from multiple tier-1 sources including ESPN and Manchester United’s official channels. Head-to-head statistics come from Wikipedia and Transfermarkt.

ESPN reported that Matheus Cunha scored a dramatic late winner, with the goal arriving in the 88th minute to seal Manchester United’s 3-2 victory and dent Arsenal’s title ambitions.

Manchester United’s official match preview noted the visitors arrived at the Emirates with momentum, fresh from a derby victory and knowing a win could move them into Champions League contention.

Related reading: Man United vs Fulham 3-2 · Leeds United vs West Ham FA Cup 2026

United’s narrow 3-2 triumph builds on a storied H2H record and stats spanning 246 matches of drama and controversy.

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