Manchester United vs Arsenal: The Preview

Manchester United will be looking to brush off the 4-0 thrashing that Crystal Palace handed them last Monday night and to have a say in the outcome of the Premier League race between Arsenal and Manchester City, which currently sits on a knife edge.

United host Arsenal at Old Trafford this Sunday and, as is the story of this season, United need a win. United are on track for their worst-ever finish since the Premier League began. Sloppiness and Fatigue have been the 2 words to describe this season apart from the obvious: “injury-ridden.” Erik ten Hag’s Reds, who have won just 1 of the last 6 league games, face off against Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, who have lost just 1 of their last 6 league games. This is not going to be a pretty game.

United currently languish in 8th, behind Chelsea and Newcastle, with 54 points. The -3 goal diffence (thank you Crystal Palace!) is a scathing indictment of the state of the team. As it stands, it is a race to finish with some dignity (and out of the Europa Conference league).

Arsenal have scored 3 goals or more in 3 of their last games. Doesn’t fill you up with too much confidence when you see they play a team that’s conceded more shots than the worst team in the last 30 years of the league. They haven’t won at Old Trafford, since 2020, (though I think Sunday could change that).

MANCHESTER UNITED TEAM NEWS

United will have a boost on Sunday with Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernades and Marcus Rashford returning to team training. The Reds will, however, miss the services of Luke Shaw and Mason Mount due to minor injuies (shock I know). Mason Mount picked up a small niggle which will see him sit this game out; while Shaw had a minor setback in his lenghthy recovery that will rule him out for the next couple of fixtures. It is unclear whether Raphael Varane who has been pictured in training will be fit enough to play, which could mean we see Casemiro play CB again. Lisandro Martinez has returned to team training, however the Boss feels the Arsenal game comes too soon for the Argentine talisman.

Willy Kambwala, Victor Lindelof and Tyrel Malacia will definitely miss the fixture.

Arsenal team news

The Gunners will be without long-term absentee Jurrien Timbre. Riess Nelson and Takehiro Tomiyasu were not seen in training for the fixture.

MANCHESTER UNITED PREDICTED LINEUP

Onana;

Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Evans, Dalot;

Mainoo, Amrabat;

Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford;

Hojlund.

FORM GUIDE

Manchester United Premier League form: LDWDDL

Manchester United form all competitions: LDWWDD

Arsenal Premier League form: WWWWLW

Arsenal form all competitions: WWWWLL

PREDICTION

To quote Mr. T, “My Prediction? Pain.” This is going to be a rather hard game to watch for us, and a rather hard game for an out-of-form United. Casemiro’s dire form demands he be dropped, however, with no CBs available except Jonny Evans, makes it very hard for Erik ten Hag to drop him. Antony keeps putting performances that are mediocre to say the least. Hopefully, Amad Diallo gets an opportunity to show why he is a better option than Antony and even more hopefully, Marcus Rashford will come alive in this big game, as he has on many occasions and steps up for his boyhood club. If we win, expect a smash and grab 1-0 but if we are losing, expect a thrashing.

Let’s show up these North London bottlejobs and end their title hopes like we did to Klopp but at the same time, keep the banner that says “Play Like You Mean It” handy.

Predicted Score: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United.