Best Odds: 6/4
Bookmaker:
With all eyes falling on Old Trafford this weekend, Arsenal will travel to historic rivals Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, putting in a nightmare performance earlier in the week as they slumped to an infamous 4-0 drumming at the hands of Crystal Palace, Manchester United find themselves at the heart of a public crisis. With it now appearing inevitable that Erik ten Hag will be leaving Old Trafford at the end of the season, the former Ajax boss has come under a huge amount of scrutiny. Although the Reds might have eventually avoided an infamous FA Cup collapse last month as they edged past Championship outfit Coventry, United have remarkably collected just a single victory from any of their previous seven consecutive Premier League appearances. Opening April with an action-packed 4-3 loss away at historic rivals Chelsea, ten Hag’s men have continued to gain a reputation for their glaring defensive issues. Hit with a 3-1 defeat when they travelled to north London back on September 3rd, United face what is another huge challenge this weekend.
Team News
Manchester United have confirmed that England international Harry Maguire will not feature over the final fortnight after sustaining a muscle injury. Likewise, dealing with an injury crisis at Old Trafford, ten Hag will also be unable to call upon the likes of Luke Shaw and former Real Madrid superstar Raphael Varane.
However, after missing out away at Crystal Palace earlier in the week, United are hopeful that the duo of Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez will be able to make a timely return here. Although Rasmus Hojlund might have notched just a single goal in his previous 11 appearances for club and country, the Danish international will spearhead United’s charge.
Arsenal
As for the visitors, while Arsenal might have suffered Champions League heartbreak last month as they fell to a 3-2 aggregate defeat against Bayern Munich, Mikel Arteta’s young squad are enjoying a famous domestic romp. Still battling it out in the chase to get their hands on a first Premier League crown since 2004, the Gunners will be relishing a trip to Old Trafford this weekend. Last seen storming their way to a 3-0 victory at home against Bournemouth, the title contenders have won all of their previous four top-flight showdowns by an aggregate score of 13-2. Signing off April with what could prove to be a season-defining 3-2 win away at arch-rivals Tottenham, Arteta’s men have continued to gain a fearsome reputation for their clinical performances in the final third. Including a remarkable 5-0 romp at home against Chelsea last month, the Gunners have also suffered just a single domestic defeat outside of north London since opening 2024.
Team News
Although Dutch defender Jurrien Timber might not have made a single appearance since the end of August after undergoing knee surgery, Arsenal have confirmed that the former Ajax star could play some part on Sunday afternoon. Ahead of their trip to Old Trafford this weekend, Arteta’s side have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh issues to worry about.
Once again converting from the spot against Bournemouth last week and recording a 16th Premier League goals of the season, England international Bukayo Saka will play a leading role here. Likewise, recording three goals in his previous four top-flight appearances, Leandro Trossard will keep his spot in Arteta’s starting XI.
Key Factors to Consider
