Manchester United will look to return to winning ways when they face Premier League championship contenders Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
United were humiliated 4-0 by Crystal Palace last time out, after losing 3-1 to the Gunners in the reverse meeting at the Emirates Stadium in September. Michael Olise (2), Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Tyrick Mitchell scored to condemn United to a Premier League record 13th defeat of the season.
United enters this game seventh in the rankings, having won just two of their last ten league games. The team has never finished worse than seventh in the Premier League’s history.
With only three games remaining, United’s hopes of achieving European qualification through their league position are becoming increasingly doubtful. However, winning the FA Cup will allow them to qualify for the Europa League.
Ahead of the Gunners’ visit, manager Erik ten Hag has stated Mason Mount would be ineligible for selection after being hurt in training on Thursday. However, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes, and Marcus Rashford may all return.
Andre Onana is anticipated to start in goal, continuing his streak of starting every Premier League game this season. He will be determined to keep his first clean sheet since United’s 2-0 win against Everton on March 9.
Ten Hag may be compelled to name the same back four that began against Palace, despite Casemiro’s problems as a temporary centre-back. Lisandro Martinez has returned to first-team training, but Ten Hag says this weekend’s game is too soon for the Argentine.
This implies Casemiro might once again play with Jonny Evans in the heart of the defensive. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot should play at full back.
Fernandes might return to United’s midfield after missing the defeat against Palace due to injury. He has trained for this weekend, and Ten Hag is confident he will be available.
Fernandes might team up with Kobbie Mainoo and Christian Eriksen in the engine room. However, Sofyan Amrabat and McTominay, if medically cleared, might start.
None of United’s strikers are in very good form right now, so Ten Hag might be forgiven for making whatever alterations he wants to his front three. However, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund are both locked in to start, leaving one position open.
Rashford is in contention to return, and it would not be surprising if he replaced Antony, with Garnacho playing on the right.
United’s anticipated line-up against Arsenal is: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Evans, Dalot; Mainoo, Eriksen, Fernandes; Garnacho, Hojlund, Rashford.