Build Up
Manchester United host Arsenal on Sunday in a battle of two teams with a lot of potential but quite haven’t lived up to it yet. Although, after a 5-0 thrashing of RB Leipzig on Wednesday, United are definitely headed in the right direction.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have been inconsistent because of sudden losses of form of their key strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette hasn’t helped. United need to carry Wednesdays form into this match, having only picked up only seven points in five matches in the League.
United have allowed three more goals than they have scored; at the same time, they are also creating more chances to score than most other clubs, and they’re getting plenty of shots on net.
With both clubs sitting in the bottom half of the standings (United is 15th, Arsenal is 11th), a win could be the kickstart for either underachieving team. With the switch to a diamond formation against Leipzig having the desired effect, it is difficult to see Solskjaer opting for a different approach on Sunday.
Manchester United Team News
Although using two frontline strikers increases the chances of a first start for Edinson Cavani, Mason Greenwood is likely to get the nod alongside Marcus Rashford. Solskjaer is not short of options with regards to his midfield and Bruno Fernandes is expected to be preferred in the most advanced role ahead of Donny van de Beek and Juan Mata.
Scott McTominay, Fred, and Paul Pogba should take on the positions behind Fernandes, leaving Nemanja Matic to drop back down to the substitutes’ bench. While Solskjaer has spoken about the importance of managing the fitness of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw, the two full-backs will continue on the right and left respectively. Anthony Martial serves the final game of his three-match suspension, while Alex Telles is out of contention due to a positive coronavirus test.
Opposition Watch
Arsenal will welcome back a host of regular names who were rested for the Europa League win over Dundalk on Thursday. The likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bernd Leno, Thomas Partey, and Alexandre Lacazette are in line for recalls, while Willian is fit following an ankle injury.
Mikel Arteta is without a number of defenders with David Luiz (thigh), Rob Holding (hamstring), Pablo Mari (ankle), and Calum Chambers (knee) all missing through injury, although William Saliba is available to make his debut if called upon.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, McTominay, Pogba, Fernandes, Rashford, Greenwood/Cavani
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