Manchester United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford as they look to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to West Ham last Sunday. United won 5-3 on penalties (1-1) despite dominating proceedings against Rochdale in the Carabao Cup 3rd round.
The Red Devils haven’t had the consistency they had hoped for this season with 2 defeats off the last 4 league games. They looked like a side struggling for form, missing a host of key players against West Ham. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Paul Pogba, who played all 90 minutes vs Rochdale, had sustained a ‘knock to his ankle which is very swollen’. This bit troubles Manchester United fans who are already missing the likes of Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford through injuries.
The Gunners would be in buoyant mood after securing a comeback 3-2 win over 10 men Aston Villa. They dismantled a poor Nottingham Forest 5-0, a game which witnessed the the first sighting of new LB Kieran Tierney.
Arsenal are 4 places and 3 points above the opponents, will be looking to enter the top 3 with a win. Football pundits say this is the ‘best time to visit’ Old Trafford amidst all the trouble. The Gunners have not won away to Manchester United since 2006. The fixture has seen some epic matches over the years and always promises to be a Premier League Classic.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS:
United LB Luke Shaw was seen back in training on Friday, but will not be playing a part in the fixture. Marcus Rashford who was substituted vs West Ham due to a hip problem will also be missing the game. Paul Pogba is a doubt while Anthony Martial, who hasn’t played since that 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace is also expected to be out. Ole, on being questioned on whether Mason Greenwood will be starting upfront, said “He might be. He’s proven when he’s been on the pitch against Astana and Rochdale, when you get him in the box he’s dangerous”.
Young Daniel James would be looking to get back in goalscoring form and is likely to start on the left wing. Juan Mata will be in the playmaking role behind the number 9.
Predicted Line-Ups: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelöf, Young(C), McTominay, Pogba, Periera, Lingard James, Greenwood 4-2-3-1
Arsenal’s new signing Kieran Tierney could be in contention to start after a satisfying game against Nottingham Forest. Striker Pierre-Emrick Aubameyang is in terrific form and scored a beautiful free-kick to win it for the Gunners against Aston Villa. The Gabonese striker already has 6 goals to his name and is only behind Tammy Abraham and Sergio Aguero. Nicolas Pepe shrug his poor run of form and had a good display of shots and runs against Villa. David Luiz and Sokratis are expected to start in the CB roles.
Predicted Line-Ups: Leno, Kolasinac, Luiz, Sokratis, Maitland-Niles, Torriera, Xhaka(C), Geundouzi, Ceballos, Aubameyang, Pepe 4-3-1-2
Referee: Kevin Friend
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester (76000)
English Premier League, Round 7
Time: 20:00 BST, Monday
