Ruben Amorim hatches plan to get two Man Utd stars ready to face Arsenal in opening game

Manchester United are doing all they can to ensure they're as close as possible to full strength for their Premier League opener against Arsenal. The latest step involves a potential behind-closed-doors friendly, organised with a view to ensuring a pair of stars get the game time they need.

United goalkeeper Andre Onana has been absent from recent pre-season friendlies as he works his way back to full fitness. The rest of the first team have also yet to play alongside new striker Benjamin Sesko, whose arrival from RB Leipzig was made official over the weekend.

According to The Times, the Red Devils are exploring the prospect of a friendly at the Carrington training complex this week. The opposition has yet to be decided, but Ruben Amorim's side would likely face local opposition.

If Onana is unable to return to full fitness for the Arsenal game, Altay Bayindir could make just his fifth Premier League appearance in his third United season. The Turkish international also played against the Gunners in last season's FA Cup, saving a shoot-out penalty from Kai Havertz.

Sesko, meanwhile, missed Leipzig's friendly against Atalanta on August 2 and didn't join his new club in time to face Fiorentina on Saturday. United won the weekend friendly, prevailing on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

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"He has the characteristics that we needed," United boss Amorim told club media. "Ben is a player - with all the information that we have - that we need to stop the guy from working, not the opposite!

"So that is also important. He's really young. He's good in the air, he's good at running the channels, good on the ball. I think he has great potential. I think he can improve a lot and, for sure, he is going to feel at home in our club. He has the right character to be in this group, so I'm really happy to have him."

United's rivals Arsenal were also winners over the weekend. New striker Viktor Gyokeres scored his first goal for the club as they beat Athletic Club 3-0 to win the Emirates Cup.

"Well I think his goals, his threat, I think he pins both centre backs, he's a player that when you're living with a space, one against one, he's going to destroy you," Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said when asked what Gyokeres brings to the team. "So he's going to create a lot of space as well for us and yeah, the moment that in any situation there is a player there that can score a goal."

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