Manchester United vs Arsenal Match Preview

Competition:
English Premier League

Date: 19th November 2016

Time: 12:30

Venue: Old Trafford

Current League Positions: 

United: 6th (18 points).

Arsenal: 4th (24 points). 

Recent Form: 

United: DDLDW (Won their last game 3-0 vs Swansea (A))

Arsenal: WWDWD (Drew their last match 1-1 vs Tottenham (H))

Key Players: 

Top Goalscorers (League): 

United: Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 6 goals 

Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez - 6 goals

Top Assists (League): 

United: Rooney - 4 assists

Arsenal: Iwobi/Sanchez - 3 assists

Unavailable/Doubtful Players: 

United: Fellaini (Calf - Doubtful), Valencia (Broken Arm - Doubtful), 

Bailly (Knee - OUT), Smalling (Toe - OUT), Ibrahimovic (Suspended) 

Arsenal: Bellerin (Ankle - OUT), Perez (Ankle - OUT),
Cazorla (Achilles - OUT), Mertersaker (Knee - OUT), Welbeck (Knee - OUT)

Potential United Starting XI 

(4-3-3/4-5-1)

GK: David De Gea

RB: Matteo Darmian

- With Antonio Valencia still unavailable due to surgery on a broken arm, Matteo Darmian should continue at right-back.

CB: Phil Jones 

- Returned to the starting XI last time out against Swansea and received praise from Mourinho after his performance. Should continue at centre-back with Smalling and Bailly both injured.

CB: Marcos Rojo

- Although one of the favourites to be leaving Old Trafford, Rojo has been given a run of starts due to the injures suffered in defence. Has impressed over the few games he has played and that should continue here.

LB: Luke Shaw 

- Singled out for criticism by Mourinho after ruling himself out through injury against Swansea, Jose will be expecting the young left-back to bounce back with a strong performance this weekend.

CDM: Michael Carrick

- Has barely featured in the Premier League this season, but offered balance and composure to the midfield in the last match. Should start in-front of the defence, allowing others the freedom to create. 

CM: Ander Herrera

- Back from suspension, so should return to the starting lineup. A player that Mourinho seems to trust in big matches after strong performances against Liverpool and Man City already this season.

CM: Paul Pogba

- Another definite starter. Has actually played better than reports would suggest so far this season. United's most creative player appears to benefit from having Carrick & Herrera as defensive security behind him, which will hopefully benefit his performance against Arsenal. 

RW: Juan Mata

- Another favourite to be shown the door by Mourinho after being moved on when Jose was Chelsea manager previously. However, his form this season has been good, with the Spaniard also scoring the winning goal in the recent 1-0 win over Man City in the EFL cup.

LW: Anthony Martial

- United's best player last season has struggled for form so far this campaign. Was dropped from the starting XI due to a lack of confidence/injury, but should start this game, especially with Arsenal's regular right-back, Hector Bellerin, missing through injury. 

CF: Marcus Rashford

- Another player who is struggling for form. Marcus Rashford hasn't managed to hit the heights of last season so far. Will remember this fixture fondly after scoring a brace on his Premier League debut, in the same fixture last season. 

Match Prediction: 

This is a massive game for United. Having dropped so many points in recent games, losing this fixture will see them cut adrift from the leaders at the top of the table. It may be time for some of the squad players so far this season to stand up and be counted. The pace of Martial and Rashford on the counter could be key. 

2-1 United (Mata & Rashford, Ozil)

Embed from Getty Images

How do you think United will line up? Have your say in the comments section below!