Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United are now unbeaten in their last 25 league games but are no closer to a place in the Champions League next season. However, all the records will go out of the window when they travel to the Emirates to face Mourinho’s nemesis in Arsene Wenger.
Arsenal lie a position below Manchester United in the race to the top 4 and anything less than three points will effectively end their chances of qualification. They are fresh off a loss against Spurs and are not looking in great shape. Though the stalemate against Swansea will hurt United, if they can take all three points from this game, they will be in a decent position to finish in the top-4 come the end of the season. Here is the predicted lineup that Mourinho might field for this tie:
Team News:
Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are not expected to play any further role in the remainder of the season. Phil Jones, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling are all back in action but midfielder Marouane Fellaini will serve his suspension. Marcus Rashford and Ashley Young are not fully fit but might not miss this game completely.
Expected lineup (4-3-3):
Defence:
Jose Mourinho has used Sergio Romero in the previous game but he should stick with David de Gea in between the posts in this game. Antonio Valencia is the first-choice full-back for United and he should start at right back while Matteo Darmian should edge past Daley Blind to start at left-back.
The injury returnees give Manchester United and Mourinho a few options at the back. Eric Bailly should retain his first team spot and he could be partnered with Chris Smalling in this tie. Both players have played together on a number of occasions earlier in the season and will hope to have a solid game.
Midfield:
While Paul Pogba needs to be preserved, he cannot sit out of a game of this calibre and should start on the left side of the midfield. With Fellaini out suspended, Mourinho has little choice but to stick with Michael Carrick as the deepest of the midfielders while Ander Herrera will act on the right side of the midfield three. This is a combination that has won United a number of games in the recent past.
Attack:
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic injured and Marcus Rashford not 100% fit, Mourinho has a few problems in attack. He might stick with Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney to play just in behind the main striker. Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be rested for the Europa League tie.
Mata and Rooney should be playing behind Anthony Martial, who was only a substitute in the Europa League game recently. He should lead the attack for Manchester United against Arsenal this weekend.
Here is how they could line up:
