Manchester United vs Arsenal Preview
Manchester United have had a good week so far. After a good win against Shrewsbury on Monday, United thrashed FC Midtjylland 5-1 to reach the last 16 in the Europa League. They will be hoping to finish off the week with a win against Arsenal at Old Trafford, however, this game will surely be their biggest test of the week.
United still have a lot to do if they are to finish in the top four in the league. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their vital 2-1 win over title rivals Leicester City.
United have also only won 11 of their 26 league matches this season, drawing eight and losing seven. They could be in seventh position on Sunday, depending on the results of West Ham United and Southampton on Saturday. Van Gaal will be forced to select some inexperienced players in his team this weekend due to the recent injuries. Marcus Rashford had a brilliant debut against Midtjylland and he looks likely to keep his place if Anthony Martial doesn’t recover from his injury in time this weekend. Chris Smalling is a doubt for the game however Van Gaal told reporters on Friday he expected David De Gea to be fit for the game. A good stat for United is that they have not lost any of their last eight Premier League matches against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Arsenal are going into the game at Old Trafford off the back of a European defeat against Barcelona. After their 2-0 defeat at the Emirates on Tuesday, The Gunners look likely to be exiting the Champions League in the first knock-out round. Arsenal would have had two extra rest days than United and they will be looking to build on their 2-1 win over title rivals Leicester two weeks ago. The Gunners will be without Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who injured his knee against Barcelona.
Arsenal have won 15 of their 26 league matches this season, drawing six and losing five times. Another stat which goes in United’s favour is The Gunners have only been won two of their last seven away league matches. Arsenal haven’t won at Old Trafford in the Premier League in nearly 10 years, however, they did win there in the FA Cup last season when former United player Danny Welbeck scored the winner against his former team. Below are the past three results from United vs Arsenal.
Arsenal 3-0 Manchester United Premier League – October 2015
Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal Premier League – May 2015
Manchester United 1-2 Arsenal FA Cup – March 2015
Man United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Varela, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Herrera, Schneiderlin; Depay, Mata, Lingard; Rashford
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal; Ramsey, Coquelin; Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez; Giroud
Prediction: 1-1