Arsenal would take on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men on Sunday afternoon with just two points adrift of them (Red Devils) in the Premier League table.
The London side has suffered back-to-back defeat against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Brendan Rodgers Leicester City, respectively.
The Gunners have amassed nine points from opening six fixtures for the season, with regular recovery and injury-laden scenario in Arsenal’s treatment room recently, however, Mikel Arteta has a number of selection issues to deal with regarding Sunday’s clash between both sides.
An analysis of the London side’s possible line-up could see Gabriel Martinelli absent because of a knee issue as the team bids to clip United’s wings away from home.
Absent; Rob Holding (hamstring), Pablo Mari (ankle), Gabriel Martinelli (knee)
Doubtful; David Luiz (thigh), Calum Chambers (lack of match fitness).
Willian is in line to return to the right-hand side of the midfield following his appearance in the club second-half run out against Dundalk.
With Bukayo Saka expected to be fit, Skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be deployed in the centre forward role, leaving Alexandre Lacazette with no place on the starting XI.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could choose to use a back four and three men in the midfield should David Luiz fail to recover as expected for the Sunday showdown against the Red Devils.
Shkodran Mustafi would come in for his first Premier League start of the campaign alongside Gabriel Magalhaes while Dani Ceballos is going to be used as the most advanced player in the midfield areas for Arsenal. Arteta also has the choice to push Kieran Tierney inside to form a back three.
This could see Saka or Ainsley Maitland-Niles deployed at left wing-back.
Despite nearing a return following a 10 months injury lay off on the pitch, Calum Chambers is unlikely to be in contention until one of the club Arsenal’s European fixtures.
How Arsenal could line-up against Manchester United.
Bernd Leno; Hector Bellerin, Shkodran Mustafi, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kieran Tierney; Thomas Partey, Dani Ceballos, Granit Xhaka; Willian, Bukayo Saka, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Manchester United returns to the Premier League just like German side RB Leipzig visited Old Trafford in the midweek, although they sit two points behind Arsenal in the English top-flight table.
However, the level of their performances has ensured that United’s boss Solskjaer will have much to worry concerning his team’s selection before what could be Arsenal’s biggest game of the season.
Here, Anaedooonline.ng analyzes how the Red Devils could line-up against opponents (Arsenal) who would be aiming to record their first win at Old Trafford since 2015.
Absent; Phil Jones (knee), Alex Telles (Coronavirus), Anthony Martial (suspension), Eric Baily (muscle), Jesse Lingard (unspecified).
It will be surprising to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer make do with a different approach for the game on Sunday since the switch to a diamond formation against the German side Leipzig worked to perfection.
Promising talent Mason Greenwood is likely to start along with Marcus Rashford even though playing two front line strikers could increase the chance of a first start for United new signing Edinson Cavani.
Bruno Fernandes is expected to start in the free role ahead of Donny Van de Beck and Juan Mata meaning Solskjaer is not bereft of options in midfield.
Fred, Scott Mc Tominay and Paul Pogba should be in contention for a place behind Bruno Fernandes, thus meaning Nemanja Matic would resort to the substitute bench.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw should continue in the full-back positions (right and left) respectively, though the United boss has reiterated the need to take maximum care of their fitness level.
French forward Anthony Martial serves the final game of the suspension (three matches), while Brazilian left-back signed from FC Porto in the summer in Alex Telles is out of the match after testing positive for Coronavirus.
See possible line up:
David De Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw; Scott Mc Tominay, Fred, Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes; Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford.
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