The football fans will brace themselves for one of the most highly anticipated fixtures in this season’s Premier League when Manchester United lock horns with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Monday.
The hosts have had an uneventful start to the campaign, picking up just eight points from six matches. They are also coming into this contest on the back of a nervy shootout win over Rochdale in the third round of the EFL Cup in midweek. Therefore, confidence won’t be high among the United camp as they welcome Arsenal at Old Trafford.
The Gunners, in contrast, are flying high with 11 points. They are currently fourth in the league table and have won their last three matches in all competitions. A 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest in midweek will serve as the ideal boost for them ahead of their trip to the Theatre of Dreams on Monday.
Talking Tactics
Unai Emery will likely opt for a 4-3-1-2 formation, hoping to unleash the pace of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe up top. The midfield three comprising of Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi could be critical in their bid to maintain possession and dominate the game. Guendouzi could move forward, at times, joining Dani Ceballos in the final third – the latter will act as the chief playmaker for Arsenal.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, meanwhile, will be hoping to isolate Ceballos by deploying Scott McTominay in the number six slot. However, going for a deep-defensive block is necessary, given the slow nature of their centre-backs. The Red Devils will be relying on their pace on the break to breach a relatively vulnerable Arsenal defence.
Team News
Manchester United
Manchester United will likely be without the services of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. Moreover, Luke Shaw is a doubt while the likes of Phil Jones and Eric Bailly are long-term absentees. That means Ashley Young will continue to feature as the left-back while Jesse Lingard is expected to be given a berth in the starting lineup, deputising for the injured pair of Rashford and Martial.
Manchester United Predicted XI
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Young; Pogba, McTominay; Pereira, Mata, James; Lingard.
Arsenal
Alexandre Lacazette has been ruled out and will not return until the second week of next month. Fortunately for Emery, he remains the only real absentee after the defensive trio of Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney made their return to full fitness in midweek. None of them, however, are likely to start against Manchester United.
Arsenal Predicted XI
Leno; Chambers, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac; Torreira, Xhaka, Guendouzi; Ceballos; Pepe, Aubameyang
Key Men
Arsenal
Aubameyang is by far the most in-form player heading into this game, having already netted six goals in the English top-flight this season. The Gabonese international has responded well following the injury of Lacazette and will remain Manchester United’s number one threat. The Red Devils also need to keep tabs on Guendouzi in midfield.
Manchester United
With Rashford and Martial likely to be out, the onus will be on James to provide a spark going forward for Manchester United. The Welshman has netted three goals since joining from Swansea City in the summer and will be United’s best weapon in this encounter. His pace and tenacity could cause some problems for the Arsenal defence.
Odds
Manchester United win – 11/8
Draw: 5/2
Arsenal win – 19/10
