Manchester United face an uphill battle on Sunday as they travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal. After a difficult start to the season, Erik ten Hag will be desperate to make an impression and demonstrate his side’s competitive ability against Mikel Arteta’s impressive team. Read our predicted lineup for the latest updates and insights, as we reveal Rasmus Holjund’s status.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup vs Arsenal
How the Reds Lined Up in Recent Weeks
United named an identical starting eleven for their opening two games against Wolves and Spurs, before making three changes against Nottingham Forest last Saturday. Andre Onana featured in goal behind a defence featuring Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez alongside Diogo Dalot, who replaced the injured Luke Shaw.
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In the midfield, Casemiro started alongside Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen, who took the sidelined Mason Mount’s place. The front three consisted of Antony on the right and Marcus Rashford on the left, while the returning Anthony Martial started over Alejandro Garnacho and was moved to centre-forward.
Man Utd Show Character After Troubling Start v Nottingham Forest
If Ten Hag thought the first two matches had been challenging, then the first five minutes against Steve Cooper’s side must have felt like hell for the Dutch manager. Taiwo Awonyoni opened the scoring within two minutes after his blistering earned him a one-vs-one against Andre Onana, before cooling seating the keeper and sliding a finish into the bottom right of the net.
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Moments later, a wide free-kick landed on Willy Boly’s head and gave Forest a shocking 2-0 lead. United started their comeback early as Christian Eriksen tapped in a brilliant low cross from Rashford in the 17th minute. Then, at the start of the second half, a well-worked free-kick routine saw Fernandes head across goal to Casemiro who finished from close range.
Matters went from bad to worse for Cooper’s men, as Steve Worrall was shown a red card for hauling down United’s captain before Danilo’s outstretched leg was adjudged to have tripped Rashford in the box. Fernandes finished the comeback with a cool penalty with 20 minutes to spare.
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Injury News
The Red Devils have been dealt yet another blow with Raphael Varane is expected to be ruled out for a month. The French international will join another crucial defender on the back benches, as Luke Shaw is out with an injury expected to last until late October or early November.
Mason Mount has also been sidelined until after the September international break, although details of the injury are yet to be revealed. Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Tyrell Malacia are also unavailable. But United fans will rejoice as Rasmus Holjund has reached fitness and is “ready to start” according to Ten Hag.
Man Utd Predicted Lineup: Holjund to Start
Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Martinez, Reguilon; Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Antony, Rashford, Holjund
With the £72 million summer signing available, the Red Devils are likely to start him as their other options are clearly not favoured by Erik ten Hag, as shown by the manager’s decision to start Rashford at centre-forward against Spurs despite Martial’s availability.
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With Varane ruled out from the right side of central defence, Harry Maguire is most likely to start over Victor Lindelof, as Erik ten Hag has previously suggested the Swedish international is much more comfortable on the left of defence. New signing Sergio Reguilon has trained with the side and faces a baptism of fire in North London.
Main Image Credits: Stacey MacNaught via WikiMedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
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