Premier League: Manchester United face Arsenal at home
Second placed Manchester United host Arsenal in a cracking encounter at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday. Arsenal, sixth in the table, had lost the last tie against United when the sides had met earlier this season. Jose Mourinho will be looking to up his side's ante against the Gunners, who want to stand strong. Here is the match preview.
Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero continues to be absent due to a knee injury. Reports state that right-back Antonio Valencia is fit after recovering from a muscle problem. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be eyeing to keep players fresh for the Europa League midweek 2nd leg clash against Atletico. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is fit and likely to return to the side. Elneny is set to be sidelined.
Jose Mourinho thanked outgoing Arsene Wenger for the great battles and fights. He also stated that the little negative words spoken in the past were unnecessary. Wenger said he needs time to figure out what he will do next post Arsenal life.
Alexis Sanchez will be facing his former club whom he left in January this year. All eyes will be on the Chilean, who has found much needed form of late for United. Sanchez has appeared for United 14 times across all competitions and has scored thrice. The manner in which he links with Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard will be vital.
Arsenal have suffered heavily on their trips away from home in the Premier League and have lost five successive ties on the road. A sixth could be on the cards if United stake their authority at Old Trafford. Arsenal need to be solid.
Romelu Lukaku has scored 16 Premier League goals for the Mancunian club and will be the man to watch out for atop. If United have Lukaku, then Arsenal too boast of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. Auba has already netted six times for Arsenal in EPL and will be fresh given he is not eligible to play in Europa. Lacazette is in red-hot form.
The Red Devils have enjoyed a 10 home-match unbeaten run against Arsenal since September 2006. A league double over Arsenal could be United's first since 2011-12. David de Gea had made a staggering 14 saves against Arsenal in United's 3-1 win this season. Arsenal have lost all their away fixtures in the league this year. This is Wenger's last visit to Old Trafford.
