Manchester United travel to the Emirates Stadium for today’s Premier League clash against Arsenal.
The Red Devils returned to winning ways last weekend with a sublime 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Old Trafford.
The club are now just one point behind fourth-placed Liverpool in the league with a game in hand against the Gunners.
Michael Carrick’s side can cement their place in the top four with a win this evening.
The Red Devils will be eyeing their first league victory at the Emirates since December 2017, when Jesse Lingard scored a brace.
Ahead of the game, Carrick could make one big change in the backline.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Line-up:
Senne Lammens has been United’s undisputed goalkeeper since making his debut against Sunderland in October. The Belgian has kept only three clean sheets thus far, and will be eyeing another shut-out against the Gunners on the road.
Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez were brilliant as a central defensive pairing in the Manchester derby and should be assured starters. Luke Shaw provides the defensive stability at left-back, and there is no reason for the manager to contemplate a change.
Diogo Dalot had a nervous opening half against the Cityzens and could have been sent off for his rash challenge on Jeremy Doku. The Portuguese improved as the half went on and received plenty of praise from Carrick in the pre-match presser earlier this week.
Despite this, we would personally prefer a change. Noussair Mazraoui should replace Dalot at right-back after his return from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Morocco. The £17.1 million signing is much better at one-on-one defending than Dalot, in our opinion.
The rest of the line-up could stay unchanged. Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo were exceptional in the centre of the park last weekend and should continue to keep their places. Manuel Ugarte could come on for Casemiro during the back end of the encounter.
Amad Diallo was unlucky not to score against the Cityzens. He had a lively outing in the derby and should be guaranteed his place on the right wing. Similarly, Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo should be assured starters in the number 10 and number nine roles respectively.
Mbeumo started as the false number nine versus Pep Guardiola’s side, but he had a free role alongside Fernandes, as Carrick revealed. We could see something similar against the Gunners, as William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are more comfortable against an out-and-out striker.
Patrick Dorgu repaid Carrick’s faith with a crucial second goal against Man City. The Dane should make the XI ahead of Matheus Cunha on the left wing. Dorgu has impressed with his attacking runs, but could also be asked to double up with Shaw to nullify Bukayo Saka’s goalscoring threat.
How Man Utd could line up vs Arsenal today
