Arsenal v Manchester United - PREVIEW

Article by e-Manchester United Correspondent Tony Gillies

So we go into this match with one team fighting for the title and the other with faint hopes of finishing in the top 4, not many would have predicted when the fixture list came out that it would be Arsenal in the race to be crowned champions and United to be struggling as we are, but that’s how funny football can be at times and at the moment I’m not sure that too many United fans are laughing hysterically at the current state of affairs.

After 80% possession on Sunday, 31 attempts at goal, a record 81 crosses and a pass success rate of 92% against Fulham we somehow only manage to come away with a 2-2 draw, but in all honesty you can throw numbers and stats around about how much better we were than Fulham but at the end of the day the only numbers that matter are the ones on the scoreboard when the ref blow he’s full time whistle. I’m not sure many people can pin point exactly what’s going on and where it’s going wrong but the players have got to stand up at some point and take responsibility and what better place to do it than at The Emirates against Arsenal, who themselves will be hurting after the weekend fixtures, they were soundly beaten 5-1 at Anfield on Saturday and it could have been at lot worse, but everybody takes a hammering once in a while but it’s how you respond to defeat that proves what team you are and if they are to stand any chance of staying in the title race, I believe they have to go out and win on Wednesday night.

Team News

After missing the Fulham game with injuries, I’d expect Jonny Evans and Phil Jones to be fit and start the game, think the game is too big and too important to throw Felliani back into the mix he could be on the bench. Two games in 4 days might be a bit too much for Darren Fletcher at the minute so I’d expect Phil Jones to move into midfield and given how hard Antonio Valencia works in games like these, I think Ashley Young will make way for him.

Last 5 meetings (All Competitions)

Nov 2013: Man Utd 1-0 Arsenal
Apr 2013: Arsenal 1-1 Man Utd
Nov 2012: Man Utd 2-1 Arsenal
Jan 2012: Arsenal 1-2 Man Utd
Aug 2011: Man Utd 8-2 Arsenal

Predictions

Starting XI – De Gea, Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Jones, Mata, Rooney, van Persie.

@e_ManchesterUtd – Arsenal 3-2 Man Utd
@e_arsenalnet – Arsenal 1-1 Man Utd

Fans Predictions

Terry Fay a United fan has gone for a 2-1 Arsenal win, he feels that it could be horrendous if Arsenal come at us from the start and get an early goal.

Darc.Mufc is predicting a 3-2 win for United with Rooney and Mata scoring the goals.

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