Manchester United vs Arsenal Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

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.

Team News an& Tactics

Manchester United

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

Player to Watch

Gabriel Jesus

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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.

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