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Man Utd vs Arsenal preview, team news, how to watch, line-ups and prediction

By on May 10, 2024

Bukayo Saka Leandro Trossard Kai Havertz Arsenal

Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on the penultimate weekend of the 2023/24 Premier League season.

This is always a huge game in any season given the history between the two sides, but Sunday’s clash is perhaps Arsenal’s most important match against Man Utd in the last 20 years.

We head into the weekend sitting one point clear at the top of the table after continuing our sensational form with a 3-0 win over Bournemouth last weekend. Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice got the goals as we made it 14 wins from 16 league games in 2024.

The win over the Cherries cemented our place at the top of the table but second placed Manchester City have that all-important game in hand. It means Arsenal need a win at Old Trafford to maintain any hope of winning the title for the first time since 2004.

Even if Arsenal do beat Man Utd on Sunday, we still need City to slip up in one of their remaining three matches. They travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham on Saturday lunchtime, so Arsenal could find themselves two points adrift in second by the time we kick off against United on Sunday.

Favour

Arguably the most important game left is Man City’s trip to Tottenham – which takes place next Tuesday. The re-arranged fixture has now been dubbed as the ‘title decider’ and Arsenal are in the un-nerving position of needing a favour from our North London Rivals. Unfortunately, Spurs have all-but blown their chance of finishing fourth so they have very little left to play for. So much so, that we now see Spurs fans saying they will be supporting City on Tuesday as they know a Tottenham defeat could deny Arsenal from winning the title.

It’s unfortunate that City will play Tottenham away – a game they have struggled in over the past few years – so late in the season when Spurs have nothing to play for. However, all Arsenal can do is focus on winning their games and pray City slip-up somewhere. Who knows, maybe Fulham will do us a favour on Saturday.

Irrespective of what Man City do at Fulham, Arsenal know they simply have to beat Manchester United on Sunday. Some feel that is a foregone conclusion given how poorly United have been lately. Monday night’s 4-0 thrashing away to Crystal Palace came off the back of a 1-1 home draw to relegation-threatened Burnley.

They’ve also won just one of their last eight games in all competitions, and that was a 4-2 win over relegated Sheffield United at home. So, it’s understandable why many feel Arsenal should come away with all three points on Sunday. However, it’s worth noting that we have a shocking record at Old Trafford with just one win in our last 16 league visits. This includes 10 losses, so Arsenal certainly shouldn’t be taking anything for granted this weekend.

How to watch

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, kicking off at 4.30pm on Sunday 12th May. Subscribers to Sky Sports will be able to watch all the action via their Sky box, or through the Sky Go app on mobile and tablet devices.

Alternatively, match going fans can watch the game live at Old Trafford. Tickets will already be sold out through the main channels, but fans can still buy Man Utd tickets for the game on reputable reselling sites such as Seatsnet.com.

Team news

Arsenal have a fully fit squad to choose from heading into the game. Jurrien Timber built up his match fitness with two appearances for the U23s after returning from his ACL injury. He didn’t make the squad for the win over Bournemouth last weekend but could be in contention on Sunday.

As for Man Utd, they have a number of injury concerns to deal with. Tyrell Malacia, Willy Kambwala, Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw remain on the sidelines. Harry Maguire is also ruled out after picking up a muscle injury that could end his season prematurely.

However, there could be some positive news for Erik ten Hag as Lisandro Martinez is back in training after a calf injury. Marcus Rashford is also in training again following an ankle knock so they could be back in contention on Sunday.

Bruno Fernandes is expected to be back in the starting eleven after missing United’s defeat at Palace while Scott McTominay is also pushing for a return after a knee problem.

Likely Line-ups

Mikel Arteta has named a settled team recently and he may go with the same line-up again on Sunday. David Raya has sealed the Golden Glove this season and he’ll be looking to keep another clean sheet in goal.

Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes will all keep their places in defence while it looks like Takehiro Tomiyasu has forced his way into Arsenal’s team at left-back. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jacub Kiwior will have to make do with a place on the bench.

Thomas Partey is back to full fitness and has been excellent since returning in the holding role so he should keep his place ahead of Jorginho. Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz will all start while Leandro Trossard has ousted Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing.

As for Man Utd, they may be forced to continue with Casemiro at centre-back if Martinez isn’t fit to start yet. McTominay and Fernandes are expected to start in midfield along with Kobbie Mainoo. Rashford could get a start in attack along with Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.

Likely Man Utd XI: Onana; Dalot, Casemiro, Evans, Wan-Bissaka; McTominay, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund

Likely Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard

Prediction

Man Utd were awful at Palace on Monday but they are likely to have a much stronger team out on Sunday and ten Hag will be demanding a response from his players. Add in our woeful record at Old Trafford, and I’m expecting a tough game this weekend.

However, there is no denying that Arsenal are the better of the two teams and will be desperate to win this game to keep the pressure on Man City. If ten Hag can muster a response from his squad then it should still be a close game, but I’m backing Arsenal to come away with all three points. Man Utd 1-2 Arsenal