Following their embarrassment on Tuesday evening, Manchester United will be looking to fight back to give them the hope to gain Champions League football next year, despite their chances being slim. They travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal in a crucial top-four clash – both sides will be gunning for a victory for the betterment of their league position. Read on for our Manchester United predicted line-up.
A brace from Liverpool star Mohamed Salah condemned Rangnick to a disappointing four defeats in his side’s last seven outings and with Erik ten Hag joining in the summer, Ralf Rangnick will want his final games in charge to be admirable.
This fixture is pivotal to both teams’ domestic success and more importantly, how their season is viewed by football fans. The Emirates outfit are currently in a dip of troubling form having lost three on the bounce before their match against Chelsea, and Manchester United will give it all their might to capitalise on this opportunity.
Manchester United Predicted Line-up: Red Devils Looking to Bounce Back
How Manchester United Have Previously Lined-up
Similarly to Arsenal, Manchester United have opted to use the 4-2-3-1 formation for much of this season but this has differed on occasion, including against Liverpool. Rangnick decided to set up with a back five for a bit of defensive security, with the rarely-used Phil Jones returning to centre-back.
Since Fred’s injury against Everton previously this month, Manchester United have not lined up with two midfielders in front of the back four and have conceded six goals in two games. It would be wise to revert to this system since United struggle to find goals with Cristiano Ronaldo’s exclusion from the team.
The lack of engine room options will most likely see Nemanja Matic join Scott McTominay in a midfield pairing – it is not often that Matic finds himself a run of games due to his lack of fitness and agility but Manchester United are left with little choice.
Players That Manchester United May Be Without
Though understood to be back in training, Ronaldo is likely to be sidelined for this weekend’s affair. The 37-year-old tragically lost his newborn son and therefore did not feature in United’s 4-0 loss to second-place Liverpool.
Rangnick is suffering injuries in all departments with Luke Shaw, Fred, and Edinson Cavani all taking time out to recover back to full fitness. Paul Pogba joins this list after his substitution in the opening exchanges on Tuesday which turned out to be a calf injury.
French defender Raphael Varane is back ready for squad inclusion, but Rangnick may err on the side of caution and continue with a Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof pairing to ensure the World Cup winner is in tip-top condition.
McTominay has been seen back at Carrington this week which almost certainly secures him a spot in that midfield this weekend – due to Pogba and Fred’s absence Manchester United are short of central midfield players and McTominay’s work rate may alleviate the pressure from Arsenal’s dynamic midfield.
Manchester United Predicted Line-up
David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bisakka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire (c), Alex Telles, Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic, Anthony Elanga, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
