Preview: Manchester United vs. Arsenal

Sunday’s solitary Premier League offering sees a pair of English football powerhouses scrap it out at Old Trafford, as Manchester United welcome Arsenal to their crumbling fortress.

Erik ten Hag‘s men are reeling from their embarrassing 4-0 thrashing at Crystal Palace on Monday night, while the Gunners eventually wore down the Bournemouth defences in a 3-0 win last weekend.

Match preview

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Just when Man United’s forgettable 2023-24 season could seemingly not reach a lower ebb, Crystal Palace completed their first-ever league double over the Red Devils in astonishing fashion on Monday night, hitting Ten Hag’s disorganised troops for four without reply at Selhurst Park.

Michael Olise – allegedly a summer transfer target for Man United – added a few more pounds to his value with a brilliant brace in the capital, while Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell also got in on the act to condemn the Red Devils to an 18th loss of the season in all competitions and their 13th in the Premier League, a new unwanted record.

Man United’s Champions League hopes had long since evaporated before being blown to Selhurst smithereens, and earning just one win from their last seven Premier League contests leaves the Red Devils outside of European contention completely as far as the standings are concerned, sitting in eighth spot but only behind Chelsea on goal difference.

Of course, Ten Hag’s charges could earn a golden ticket to the Europa League via the FA Cup glory route, with two weeks to go until a repeat of last year’s final with Manchester City, and stardom in the Wembley sunshine will likely be Ten Hag’s last saving grace before he vacates the hotseat to a new name this summer.

Shipping four goals to the Eagles on Monday night also took Man United’s conceded column for all tournaments this season to an alarming 81 – their worst tally since the 1976-77 term – although Arsenal will not be underestimating the Old Trafford factor; Ten Hag’s side have scored in all of their Premier League home matches in 2024 so far.

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On the flip side, the ball just would not go into the back of the Bournemouth net for Arsenal during their Saturday lunchtime showdown against the Cherries, who produced more blocks than a beleaguered boxer at the Emirates until a controversial penalty decision went the Gunners’ way.

Bukayo Saka did what he does best from the 12-yard mark to settle any Arsenal nerves, before Declan Rice both set up Leandro Trossard and fired in a low strike of his own from a tight angle to ultimately ensure a straightforward Gunners success, albeit one where their visitors also had a goal questionably ruled out.

As Andoni Iraola was left to lament the contentious officiating calls, Mikel Arteta and co rejoiced in a fourth straight Premier League win, one which leaves them one point clear of Manchester City at the summit for now, but the champions can reclaim their rightful spot at the top by defeating Fulham on Saturday.

The Citizens’ game in hand means that not even perfection between now and the end of the season may be enough for Arsenal, but the Gunners head north having amassed 22 points from a possible 24 in Premier League away matches since the turn of the year, and a Theatre of Dreams triumph would see the visitors set a new club record for single-season Premier League wins with 27.

Arteta’s men produced one of their late shows to best Man United 3-1 at the Emirates back in September, but their perfect start to the 2022-23 season was snapped in this exact fixture by the same scoreline, and not since the 2006-07 season – when Emmanuel Adebayor was the Old Trafford hero – have Arsenal done the double over their faltering foes.

Manchester United Premier League form:

Manchester United form (all competitions):

Arsenal Premier League form:

Arsenal form (all competitions):

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Good news has been in short supply for Man United fans this month, but the hosts have received a huge double boost with the news that both Marcus Rashford (ankle) and Lisandro Martinez (calf) are back in team training and might force their way into contention for the visit of the Gunners.

Ten Hag should also have skipper Bruno Fernandes (wrist) and Scott McTominay (knee) back at his disposal this weekend, while Anthony Martial could even make a rare appearance, having also taken part in full training a few months on from his groin operation.

However, Tyrell Malacia (knee), Willy Kambwala (unspecified), Victor Lindelof (thigh), Raphael Varane (muscle), Harry Maguire (muscle) and Luke Shaw (thigh) remain out of action, so unless Martinez’s return is fast-tracked, Ten Hag may have no choice but to persist with Casemiro at centre-back, despite his nightmarish evening at Selhurst Park.

In contrast, Arsenal might arrive at the Theatre of Dreams with a fully fit squad, although there is still a faint question mark hanging over Jurrien Timber‘s head; the Dutchman has now played two games for the Under-21s after his ACL injury but did not make the cut for the Bournemouth victory.

Timber would only make the bench at Old Trafford anyway, as Arteta is in no position to make any changes to a winning formula, so Thomas Partey should continue as the visitors’ number six over Jorginho, who has just penned a contract extension in North London.

Now on 20 goals for the season in all competitions, Saka has five contributions against Man United in the Premier League, three of his own and two assists; only Thierry Henry (12) boasts more direct involvements for the title-chasing Gunners in this fixture.

Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Onana; Dalot, Casemiro, Evans, Wan-Bissaka; McTominay, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund

We say: Manchester United 1-3 Arsenal

Fundamental cogs returning to bolster the Man United attack spells danger for an Gunners backline fortunate to emerge unscathed from their battle with Bournemouth, but it is not the Arsenal rearguard who ought to be under the cosh this weekend.

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