Three wins in a row for Manchester United as they host league leaders, Arsenal on Sunday. United have had two tough away games against Leicester and Southampton and despite playing very well only won by one goal. United now have a totally different type of opponent. Arsenal have a 100% win record and are top of the table. They have been impressing everyone with the way they play and the manner in which they have won. Especially the last two games where they found themselves in difficult positions but came out on top. However, they have had an easy start and now will face their first Big 6 opponents, Ten Hag’s Manchester United. Here’s all you need to know:

Manchester United vs Arsenal Match Information:

Teams: Manchester United and Arsenal
Date: Sunday 4th September 2022
KO Time: 16:30 GMT
Stadium: Old Trafford
Managers: Erik ten Hag and Mikel Arteta
Referee: Paul Tierney

Team News:

Manchester United

Manchester United are still without Brandon Williams and Facundo Pellistri along with Anthony Martial who remains out with an Achilles injury. Antony, having signed from Ajax on Thursday, should be available along with Martin Dubravka but are likely to make their full debuts against Real Sociedad. Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka didn’t make the bench with “small issues” but may be back for the Arsenal game.

Arsenal

Arsenal have a few concerns, especially with Elneny, Zinchenko and Partey out for the game. Captain, Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale are nursing knocks from Wednesday’s match and so may be doubts for the match. Nelson is also sidelined but should not affect Arteta’s plans too much.

Interesting Facts:

• Manchester United have recorded just one win against Arsenal in their last seven games against the Gunners however it was this fixture last season.
• Incidentally, that fixture, under Michael Carrick, is currently the last time Manchester United came back to win from a goal down.
• Should Manchester United win against Arsenal it would be their longest winning record since April 2021 in which they won five games in a row.
• With three goals and one assist against United, Granit Xhaka has scored more goals against United than any other player at Arsenal and the opponent he is most prolific against.
• Gabriel Jesus has never scored against Manchester United despite facing them 11 times.

Manchester United vs Arsenal Predicted XI:

I don’t expect many changes for this game. I think the back four and keeper stay the same and wholesale changes against Sociedad. The front three will stay the same with Antony not ready to start yet and with just one midfield change as I expect Casemiro to replace Eriksen and allow him and McTominay to sit to start and add much needed aggression and drive in the midfield.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, McTominay; Elanga, Fernandes, Sancho; Rashford

Predicted Score:

Again, it’s hard to be totally optimistic as Arsenal have been outstanding and while United have been great at grinding out wins, they have looked a bit lacklustre in the second halves and looked like conceding. I think if Odegard and Ramsdale are fit then United are in for a tough day. United have only scored more than one goal once this campaign and that has to be the aim as I do expect Arsenal to score. They’ve been playing against teams that sit back and come away with goals, albeit this will be a higher quality team, but still capable of making errors and leaving space. I will go for a draw as I am struggling to see United score more than one goal but I am worried Arsenal could come away with a win.

Predicted Score: 1-1 draw