EPL 2018-19: Manchester United vs Arsenal: A pre-match report
Manchester United will be hosting Arsenal tonight at the Old Trafford for their first meeting of the season. While Emery's men have been steadily building their performance after losing their first two games, United are putting up poor shows, recently drawing 2-2 against Southampton. Presently the Gunners are eight points ahead of United in the league table. Here is our detailed match preview.
United have remained unbeaten in their last 11 EPL matches against Arsenal at the Old Trafford. In their last 39 matches against United at Old Trafford, Arsenal have scored more than once in three matches, 2-4 in November 1984, 2-8 in August 2011 and 2-3 in February 2016. This season Arsenal have an impressive record in away matches, winning four out of six.
With Ashley Young suspended, United can field Diego Dalot for his first EPL start of the season. Reports suggest Rashford could start from the bench tonight, while Sanchez and Lindelof remain absent owing to injuries. United might line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Lukaku as the striker. Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, and Anthony Martial are the other choices Mourinho will have in attack.
Arsenal will be without Granit Xhaka as he is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the match against Tottenham. Nacho Monreal (hamstring), Konstantinos Mavropanos (groin) and Danny Welbeck (ankle) are out due to injuries. Emery might line up his team in the 3-4-3 formation with the attacking trio of Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang, and Lacazette in front.
Manchester United: De Gea; Dalot, Smalling, Jones, Shaw; Matic, Herrera; Lingard, Pogba, Martial; Lukaku. Arsenal: Leno; Sokratis, Mustafi, Holding; Bellerin, Torreira, Guendouzi, Kolasinac; Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang, Lacazette. The match is scheduled to start at 1:30 AM IST and can be viewed on Star Sports Select 1 or Star Sports Select HD. Fans can also live stream the match on Hotstar.
