Manchester United will aim to get back to winning ways in the Premier League on Thursday when they host Arsenal at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have confirmed the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as their new interim manager until the end of the season, although Michael Carrick will be in the dugout for the Arsenal game. They pinched a vital from Chelsea in the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge last weekend but will have eyes on taking all three points from the upcoming home fixture.
On the other hand, Arsenal go into the game off the back of an impressive 2-0 home win over Newcastle United. Mikel Arteta’s side are five points above Manchester United and will look to go further clear of their Thursday’s opponents.
Manchester United vs Arsenal—Team News
Manchester United
Harry Maguire is available again after serving a one-game suspension. Luke Shaw and Edinson Cavani were unavailable against Chelsea, with the former failing to make the matchday squad after sustaining a couple of head injuries in recent fixtures. So, Shaw remains a doubt but Cavani could return to the team after missing the last three games with an ongoing tendon problem.
David de Gea should start in goal for the Red Devils, with Harry Maguire likely to walk back into the Manchester United lineup and replace Eric Bailly. He will partner Victor Lindelof in central defence, and the duo along with full-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Alex Telles will be desperate to keep their first clean sheet at home this season.
Carrick is expected to go with a double-pivot of Fred and Scott McTominay in midfield, which will allow him to add an attacking player to the mix and go all out at the Gunners. Bruno Fernandes is the link between the midfield and attack, and after a poor game at Stamford Bridge, the Portuguese will want to put in a better performance against Arteta’s side at Old Trafford.
Jadon Sancho has repaid Carrick’s faith with two goals in two starts and is a certainty to start. Marcus Rashford will keep his place on the left wing, with Cristiano Ronaldo widely expected to return to the Manchester United lineup and lead Man United’s attack after being dropped to the bench against Chelsea.
Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is sweating on Bukayo Saka’s thigh injury that he sustained in the 2-0 win over Newcastle United last weekend. However, the north London club are continuing to assess the England international and remain hopeful of his involvement against Man United in midweek.
The Gunners boss remains without long-term injury concerns Granit Xhaka and Sead Kolasinac, but other than Saka, he has no fresh injury concerns from the Newcastle game.
Aaron Ramsdale has been in inspired form since becoming Arsenal’s no.1 this season. He, along with the back four of Nuno Tavares, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are set to continue being a part of the Gunners backline.
Thomas Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga are slowly starting to form a strong partnership in the middle of the park. They will have to be at the top of their games to stop Man United from dominating possession on Thursday.
With Bukayo Saka a big doubt, Gabriel Martinelli is expected to be called into the starting XI after he made an instant impact coming off the bench with a goal against Newcastle. Emile Smith Rowe is a crucial cog in Arteta’s system and will start but Alexandre Lacazette could come in for Martin Odegaard to complement Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front.
Manchester United vs Arsenal—Predicted Lineups
Manchester United Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): David de Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Alex Telles; Scott McTominay, Fred; Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford; Cristiano Ronaldo
Arsenal Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Aaron Ramsdale; Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Nuno Tavares; Thomas Partey, Albert Sambi Lokonga; Emile Smith Rowe, Alexandre Lacazette, Gabriel Martinelli; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Manchester United vs Arsenal—Key Players
Manchester United— Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo would have been disappointed with Carrick’s decision to not include him in the starting XI against Chelsea, even though the final result at Stamford Bridge was a positive one for Man United. This should give the Portuguese megastar extra motivation to go out on Thursday and deliver the goods against Arsenal—a club against whom he’s had so many memorable nights during his previous time with the Mancunian giants.
Arsenal— Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a poor game against Newcastle with his miss from close range of goal a timely reminder of his struggles at the club of late. Nonetheless, he is a top striker and would be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a shaky Man United backline that has leaked 22 league goals so far this term.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal