David de Gea has been out of action after suffering an injury in the pre-match warm up prior to Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat in Denmark against Midtjylland, but the Spaniard is expected to make a comeback against Arsenal this Sunday.
The most significant news for the Manchester United camp ahead of their match against Arsenal on Sunday is the return of their goalkeeping hero David de Gea.
Defensive lynch-pin Chris Smalling also faces a late fitness test after he missed Manchester United’s thumping win over Midtjylland in midweek. If he is unable to make it, manager Louis van Gaal will likely deploy Paddy McNair, who is the only senior defensive option he has left.
“I expect [David can return] because I saw the way he was today,” said manager Louis van Gaal, according to Manchester United’s official website. “Chris is a question mark, but you never know.”
Daley Blind remains the only fit first-choice defender, as Van Gaal is forced to field fourth-choice left-back Joe Riley and third choice right-back Guillermo Varela.
On a positive note, Morgan Schneiderlin, Michael Carrick, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard will give the Manchester United midfield a more formidable look. On the left wing, Memphis Depay has the opportunity to impress after being shunted out of the first team following some insipid performances.
However, all eyes will be on the front of the attack as the Red Devil’s Europa League hero Marcus Rashford could start his first Premier League game in the absence of Anthony Martial. Alternatively, Van Gaal could field Belgian Adnan Januzaj as well, who has returned after a brief spell on the sidelines.
Arsenal will be without the services of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who picked up a knee injury in their Champions League match against Barcelona. His place will most likely be taken by Costa Rica winger Joel Campbell, who has been impressive in the few opportunities he has been handed by Arsene Wenger.
Apart from ‘the Ox’, the Gunners will also be missing Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla, who are all out with long term injuries. Their defensive options will be bolstered by the return of Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Paulista, who is likely to start from the bench.
