Manchester United host Arsenal in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday, with both teams looking to continue their winning runs.
Erik ten Hag’s men lost the first two fixtures of the 2022/23 Premier League season. But Manchester United have bounced back strongly with three consecutive wins over Liverpool, Southampton and Leicester City. The Red Devils have the confidence and momentum with them right now, and a win over Arsenal could lift the morale of the squad massively.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have made a dream start to their Premier League campaign so far, winning all five league games. Mikel Arteta will be demanding more of the same from his players, and it remains to be seen whether the Gunners can grind out a vital win at Old Trafford.
Few would have expected Arsenal to be in the conversation for the title race this season, but one has to consider them as contenders after their perfect start to the Premier League season. A win at Old Trafford could give Arsenal a huge confidence boost and set them on their way this season.
Arsenal come into this game on the back of a narrow win over Aston Villa, and they will have to be at their best against a rejuvenated Manchester United outfit.
The Gunners were beaten 3-2 at Old Trafford last season, and they will hope to make amends this time around. Notably, the north London club have lost just once in the last six meetings against Manchester United, and they will certainly fancy their chances of getting a positive result here.
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Manchester United
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Manchester United have seen an upturn in form ever since Erik ten Hag decided to switch things around in his lineup and place his trust in the youngsters. The likes of Anthony Elanga, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford are yet again expected to start the game in the front three, with Cristiano Ronaldo sitting on the bench.
Meanwhile, youngsters Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia are expected to continue as the full-backs, and the central defensive partnership of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane is likely to remain unchanged as well.
The Red Devils are yet to be beaten with the two central defenders partnering each other at the heart of the Manchester United defence, and the Red Devils will need them in top form against Arsenal’s fluid attacking unit.
Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay are expected to continue as the midfield three. Manchester United have four injury issues to deal with. Anthony Martial and Facundo Pellistri are ruled out of this game. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw are doubts.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): de Gea; Dalot, Martinez, Varane, Malacia; Eriksen, McTominay, Fernandes; Elanga, Rashford, Sancho
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta would have loved to field his full-strength lineup for this game, but the Arsenal boss does not have that luxury. Arsenal have a number of injury issues to deal with, and they will be without the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and Reiss Nelson.
Norwegian attacking midfielder and Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard remains a doubt for this game after hurting his ankle against Aston Villa. The Gunners will likely employ a 4-2-3-1 system against Manchester United, with defender Ben White stepping into the defensive midfield role in the absence of Partey.
This could mean Japanese full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu will earn a start on the right flank. Kieran Tierney is expected to take his place in the left-back role, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes starting as the two centre-backs.
Meanwhile, White is set to be partnered with Granit Xhaka in the Arsenal pivot. Odegaard’s potential absence is likely to open up a window of opportunity for Emile Smith Rowe to play as the number ten against the Red Devils. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are expected to start in the wide roles, with Gabriel Jesus leading the line for Arsenal against Manchester United.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Tierney; Xhaka, White; Martinelli, Smith Rowe, Saka; Jesus
Key Stats
- Manchester United have won just one of the last eight meetings – a 3-2 home victory last season. Arsenal’s only win in their last 15 Premier League games at Old Trafford was a 1-0 victory in November 2020.
- Manchester United have won their last 3 matches (Premier League). The Red Devils could claim four consecutive Premier League victories for the first time since April 2021.
- Arsenal have won their opening five league matches in a season for the first time since 2004/05, when they went on to finish second. The last time they won their first six games in the top flight was in 1947/48, a campaign which ultimately saw them crowned champions.
- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored seven goals in his last eight games against Arsenal, netting in both fixtures last season. Overall he has scored nine goals versus the Gunners, who could become the 20th different opponent he reaches double figures against in his career for club and country.
- Arsenal have been winning half-time and full-time in five of their last six matches (Premier League).
Player to Watch
Gabriel Jesus
Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus is our player to watch for this game. The Brazilian international has settled in at his new club quickly, and he has made an immediate impact at Arsenal with several crucial goals and assists.
The 25-year-old has three goals and three assists to his name in his last four Premier League outings, and he will look to get his name on the score sheet against Manchester United this weekend. Jesus has troubled Manchester United in the past with Manchester City, and he will hope to do the same with his new club now.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal
Both teams are in good form heading into this game, and this should be a closely contested affair. However, Arsenal have a number of issues on the fitness front, and their midfield options are depleted. Manchester United should be able to take advantage of Arsenal’s injury problems and edge this one.
With Antony in with a chance of making his debut against the Gunners, Manchester United have a lot to be optimistic about. They will have most of their key players fit and ready for this game, and they have the momentum with them as well. A narrow home win is very much on the cards here.