Manchester United are hoping to continue their exceptional run of form when they play hosts to Arsenal on Sunday. The Red Devils have won three of their last four matches in all competitions, with their recent victory coming in the form of a 5-0 thumping of last season’s Champions League semi-finals RB Leipzig. Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer’s men, therefore, should be gunning for all three points heading into this game.
Predicted Manchester United Lineup Vs Arsenal
Defence
Alex Telles will remain out for Manchester United in this fixture after contracting the Coronavirus. He joins Eric Bailly in Solskjaer’s list of defensive absentees heading into this game.
Telles’ absence means there is no chance we might see a wing-back system, so Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are almost guaranteed starters. Axel Tuanzebe is a potential third option at centre-back, should Solskjaer opt for a three-man backline, but that is highly unlikely. Thus, we expect Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof to operate at the heart of United’s four-man backline.
David de Gea is a guaranteed starter in between the sticks, having enjoyed a relatively pleasing start to the 2020/21 campaign. The Spaniard will be eyeing a third consecutive clean sheets in all competitions this weekend.
Midfield
Fred is a surefire starter in midfield for Manchester United, thanks to the recent form that has seen him emerge as the most important cog in the club’s second line of press.
However, Solskjaer might face a selection dilemma with Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic and Donny van de Beek all fighting for two available spots in the middle of the park.
McTominay was handed a breather in midweek in the shape of substitute appearance against RB Leipzig. That might give us some hint regarding the selection, so we do expect the young Scott to partner Pogba in midfield, even though the latter hasn’t started a Premier League game since Gameweek 4.
Attack
In the attack, Solskjaer is missing out on the services of Jesse Lingard through injury while Anthony Martial will serve the last of his three-match suspension.
Bruno Fernandes is a guaranteed starter in the number ten role, having been rested in the midweek fixture against RB Leipzig. But as far as the attackers are concerned, Solskjaer might opt for Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford as the 4-3-1-2 shape does not favour players like Juan Mata or Daniel James.
They will, however, remain on the bench as options for the Manchester United boss, along with new signing Edinson Cavani.
