By Frank Kamuntu
Manchester United are looking for consecutive wins in the Premier League against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
United conceded two early goals against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford last weekend, but they recovered to complete a 3-2 comeback thanks to goals from Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.
Erik ten Hag’s attention has now turned to facing Arsenal at the Emirates, where United struggled last season. The Gunners pushed Manchester City at the top of the Premier League in 2022/23 and they’re hoping to build on that progress.
Regarding the team news, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane and Mason Mount remain sidelined with injuries, but new signing Rasmus Hojlund is available to make his debut for the club after recovering from his back injury.
Sergio Reguilon also trained at Carrington ahead of the game and he could be involved at left-back at the Emirates.
United’s back five picks itself in the absence of Varane and Shaw. Victor Lindelof is the logical inclusion for Varane and United have little choice but to go with Diogo Dalot, despite his error-strewn performance last week and the arrival of Sergio Reguilon.
Casemiro and Christian Eriksen is not an athletic midfield to pit against Arsenal but they are specialists and there are not credible alternatives.
Antony starts by virtue of Ten Hag’s refusal to give Facundo Pellistri a proper go and Jadon Sancho would offer flexibility and durability that Anthony Martial doesn’t.
Tyrone Marshall
United signed the cover they needed at left-back on deadline day but Reguilon has been out in the cold at Tottenham and is unlikely to be ready just yet. Dalot can keep his place and Lindelof is the obvious replacement for Varane.
Arsenal haven’t been great so far this season, but they still pose a threat to United and their midfield is excellent. It feels a sensible move to look for a little more protection and bring McTominay in for Eriksen, with Casemiro and Fernandes also starting in midfield.
There will be excitement in the air when Hojlund features but that is unlikely to be from the start either. Antony and Rashford are the obvious choices out wide, but I’d opt for Sancho instead of Martial. He can drop deep and wide and pull an Arsenal defence that has looked uncertain so far out of position.
Rich Fay
Arsenal might not have started the season in electric form, but they are still the best side United have faced, and there will need to be an element of caution today. Lindelof is the obvious choice to come in at centre-back and United need a natural left-back, so it means a debut for Reguilon.
Eriksen was good against Forest last weekend but struggled against the bigger sides last season. It might not be a popular decision, but there is reason to start McTominay given his skillset as a combative midfielder out of possession.
Hojlund is the only natural striker at the club and should be thrown in from the start. Rashford deserves his place on the left and Antony was one of the best performers last weekend.
Steven Railston
I expect Arteta to abandon his Partey experiment and go back to basics, which means Arsenal could click in this game. United will have to play at their best to get a result but they are buoyed by Hojlund finally being available.
Reguilon signed on deadline day, but I’d start Dalot at left-back ahead of him with Lindelof replacing the injured Varane. The midfield should stay the same – there are no other options available – from Nottingham Forest.
It will be exciting to see Hojlund make his debut and Rashford should get back to his best no playing on the left regularly again.
