Man Utd vs Arsenal: team news, stats, predictions, kick-off time
Arsenal is heading to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in Thursday night’s Premier League matchup. The match kicks off at 8.15 pm and can be watched on Amazon Prime.
Team News
After being benched for Sunday’s draw at Chelsea, fans will be hoping to see Cristiano Ronaldo return to Manchester United starting 11.
Interim boss Michael Carrick will lead United as new interim boss Ralf Rangnick waits for his work permit played down the benching of Ronaldo saying: “These types of decisions get blown up a lot bigger than they probably are. Decisions are made for a lot of different reasons and certain ones get bigger news than others, but that is how it was.
“I didn’t see it as being a major decision. It certainly wasn’t within the camp. We all got on really well with it. The game went well, to a certain extent, and it wasn’t a drama at all.”
Harry Maguire will be available again following his one-match ban, while Luke Shaw will continue to be monitored following a head injury.
Raphael Varane, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani are not yet ready to return.
Arsenal hopes to have Bukayo Saka available after he picked up an injury against Newcastle last weekend.
Mikel Arteta said: “I am hopeful but we don’t know. Bukayo is really willing. He’s been preparing for the last two days because he wants to play. Let’s see how he is.”
Granit Xhaka and Sead Kolasinac are still not fit and will not be involved at Old Trafford.
Old Trafford ➕ @ManUtd ➕ @Arsenal = Legendary goals #MUNLIV pic.twitter.com/eu7zUAKQxb
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 2, 2021
Predictions
Michael Owen – BetVictor
During his latest column for bookmakers BetVictor, he said: “Manchester United vs Arsenal is a fixture that always grabs newspaper headlines and with the introduction of Ralf Rangnick, this is sure to be no different.
“It’s still hard to grasp what United are in terms of style of play, but I do believe the German will have them far more organised, especially at set plays. For Arsenal, there’s definitely been improvement — although to be honest, I do think they’re slightly behind Manchester United when you look at the sides pound-for-pound.
“With that in mind, I’m going for a home win for the Red Devils.”
Score prediction: United 2-1 Arsenal
Mark Lawrenson – BBC Sport
The long-serving BBC Sport pundit said: “I liked what stand-in United boss Michael Carrick did against Chelsea on Sunday – with Nemanja Matic, Fred and Scott McTominay screening their defence and the whole team working extremely hard.
“United still don’t look right at the back, but the point at Stamford Bridge was a step in the right direction and, if Aaron Wan-Bissaka hadn’t had a rush of blood, they might have taken away all three. Surely they will build on that improvement and I’m sure we will see more of the same against Arsenal.
“The Gunners got back to winning ways against Newcastle and created loads of chances in that game, but United playing at home in front of their new manager will have something to prove.”
Score prediction: United 2-1 Arsenal
Paul Merson – Sky Sports
Speaking to the broadcasting giants, he said: “This is another huge football match. Arsenal are back to beating the teams they should beat and got a good result against Newcastle. They struggled against Brighton and Liverpool in the Premier League and haven’t been very good away from home.
“Manchester United rode their luck a couple of times against Chelsea, but got an excellent result in the end.
“Carrick made a big statement by leaving [Cristiano] Ronaldo out and I think it worked.
“They took [Marcus] Rashford and [Jadon] Sancho off for Ronaldo after they went 1-0 up – and Chelsea dominated the rest of the game. United haven’t become a good team overnight. Carrick will take a chance against Arsenal and I’d be shocked if Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo don’t start.
“They aren’t very good defensively, however, and can’t afford to be too open against Arsenal. I reckon both teams would be pretty happy with a draw this week.”
Score prediction: United 1-1 Arsenal
WTX NEWS SCORE PREDICTION: UNITED 0-2 ARSENAL
👹 @Cristiano has scored six goals in his 15 appearances against Arsenal in all competitions for Man Utd, though just one of those goals has come at Old Trafford@ManUtd | #MUNARS | #PL pic.twitter.com/YyxKV0OkJT
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 2, 2021
Stats
- Man U have lost their last six Premier League matches with Arsenal
- Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three games with Man U in all competitions
- Each of the last eight Premier League goals at Old Trafford has been scored against Man U
Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi wins award as best player in world football for seventh time
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