Arsenal vs Man Utd: Preview, predictions and lineups

The biggest test of Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United tenure thus far arrives on Wednesday night as the Red Devils take on Arsenal at the Emirates.

The Gunners have purred since returning from the November international break, winning their previous three games by an aggregate score of 13-3. Mikel Arteta’s side cruised past Nottingham Forest before putting five past Sporting CP and West Ham in comprehensive victories.

The title hopefuls have found their mojo again, but there’s a nine-point deficit to Liverpool to make up.

United are unbeaten under new manager Amorim, but the Portuguese coach’s reign at Old Trafford is still in its infancy. The signs have doubtlessly been positive, though, and they head into Wednesday’s fixture having thumped Everton 4-0 on Sunday.

Marcus Rashford’s uptick and Amad Diallo’s standout performances at wing-back have been two highlights of Amorim’s tenure after two weeks.

Here’s 90min’s preview of this Wednesday’s Premier League clash.

Arsenal vs Man Utd H2H Results (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

The Gunners have a few fresh injury concerns, and it seems unlikely that Mikel Merino will play on Wednesday after he missed Saturday’s win in east London due to a knee injury.

Thomas Partey was also absent at the weekend, but the fact he travelled with the squad to the London Stadium should be considered a positive sign. He could come back into the team against United.

Gabriel is expected to be okay to start despite suffering from a niggle which forced him off at half-time on Saturday. He’ll partner William Saliba at the heart of Arsenal’s defence.

Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are out for the hosts.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Man Utd (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.

Amorim has welcomed Harry Maguire back from injury since taking charge, and he could be picked to replace Lisandro Martinez on the left side of the manager’s back three on Wednesday.

Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo are suspended for the trip to the Emirates after picking up their fifth bookings of the season against Everton on Sunday.

On a brighter note, United’s injury woes are easing and Amorim has confirmed that Leny Yoro is in contention to earn his first minutes of the season on Wednesday. Yoro has missed the entirety of his debut campaign thus far after breaking his foot in pre-season.

Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans are unlikely to feature for the away side, but Bruno Fernandes should be fit despite taking a knock to the ankle against Everton.

Man Utd predicted lineup vs Arsenal (3-4-2-1): Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire; Amad, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dalot; Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee.

The Amorim blueprint has brought about an mini-unbeaten run, and there’s no doubt Arsenal would prefer to be taking on a Man Utd side led by Erik ten Hag on Wednesday.

However, Arteta’s side should take confidence from their recent dismantling of an Amorim system in Lisbon. The Gunners battered Sporting CP 5-1 last week; pressing their opponents into submission and constantly finding space in behind their back three/five.

Amorim’s United are, of course, different to Sporting given the profiles at the manager’s disposal, but the visitors will be hamstrung by the losses of Mainoo and Martinez on Wednesday. With Arsenal potentially able to deploy their strongest XI on home soil, it’s hard to see United taming the Gunners’ current momentum.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd

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