Manchester United will attempt to complete what has been a favourable week for under-fire head coach Louis van Gaal when they welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford in the Premier League this weekend.
Progression in both the FA Cup and Europa League has eased the pressure on Van Gaal, but his team still have a lot of work to do if they are to finish in the top four in the league. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their vital 2-1 win over title rivals Leicester City on February 14.
Man United
© Getty Images
Van Gaal would have felt as if he was on a sinking ship over the last couple of months. The Dutchman has had to put up with a barrage of criticism following a disappointing season for his team, which is why he would have enjoyed the last week more than most. Back-to-back wins across two separate competitions has certainly improved the atmosphere at Old Trafford.
On Monday, the Red Devils booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a 3-0 win over Shrewsbury, before beating FC Midtjylland 5-1 in the second leg of their last-32 Europa League clash three days later. It was billed as a vital week for the club and they have already passed two of the three tests. Indeed, their reward for progressing in the Europa League is a glamour tie against rivals Liverpool in the round of 16.
Success in one or both of the FA Cup and Europa League would be seen as a positive for Man United, but there is no getting away from the fact that it has been a desperately poor Premier League season. As it stands, the Red Devils are fifth in the table on 41 points - six points off fourth-placed Manchester City and 12 behind the leaders Leicester City.
Indeed, Man United's points total of 41 from 26 games is the lowest that they have ever recorded at this stage of a Premier League season, while a total of 33 goals from 26 matches is also their lowest since the 1989-90 campaign. There will be no title challenge unless there is a dramatic turn of events.
Man United have also only won 11 of their 26 league matches this season, drawing eight and losing seven. They could actually find themselves in seventh position in the table by the time kickoff rolls around on Sunday, depending on how West Ham United and Southampton fare on Saturday afternoon.
It seems a long time ago that Van Gaal's side were beaten 2-1 at Sunderland in their last Premier League match and the Dutchman has been bitten by the injury bug in recent weeks. He will be forced to select another inexperienced team this weekend, but Man United have not lost any of their last eight Premier League matches against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Recent form: DWLWDL
Recent form (all competitions): WDLLWW
Arsenal
© Getty Images
While Man United will enter this match off the back of a favourable European result, the same cannot be said for Arsenal, who look certain to exit the Champions League in the first knockout round once again after losing 2-0 at home to Barcelona in the first leg of their last-16 clash on Tuesday night.
The Gunners had to expend a lot of energy to keep Barcelona at bay for long periods, but they will have had one more day to recover than Man United. Arsenal will also arrive looking to build on their 2-1 win over Leicester in the league last time out. That result saw them close the gap on the Foxes to two points, but the Gunners currently sit third behind Tottenham Hotspur, who face Swansea City on Sunday afternoon.
Leicester are also at home to Norwich City this weekend and will fancy their chances of opening up a five-point gap before either Spurs or Arsenal take to the field. Man City, meanwhile, who are currently fourth, have the League Cup final against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal have won 15 of their 26 league matches this season, drawing six and losing five times. They are actually the lowest scorers in the top four (41), however, and have conceded three more goals than Spurs. What's more, the Gunners have only been victorious in two of their last seven away league matches, which followed a run where they recorded 10 wins from 12.
After this one, Wenger's side will welcome Swansea in the league on Wednesday, before the small matter of the London derby at Spurs next weekend. They also have an FA Cup fifth-round replay against Hull City to come early next month as the fixtures continue to pile up.
As mentioned above, Arsenal have not collected all the points on any of their last eight Premier League visits to Old Trafford, but they were 2-1 winners in the FA Cup away to Man United last season and recorded a very impressive 3-0 victory when the pair met at the Emirates earlier this term.
Recent form: DDLDWW
Recent form (all competitions): WDWWDL
Team News
© Getty Images
Man United are currently without 14 first-team players through injury, with Wayne Rooney headlining the list of unavailable players. Fellow attacker Anthony Martial also pulled up with a hamstring problem before Thursday's Europa League match and is not expected to be risked from the start.
David de Gea and Chris Smalling are both expected to return, however, while there could be a start at left-back for Argentine international Marcos Rojo, who played the last 20 minutes against Midtjylland.
Eighteen-year-old Marcus Rashford's European brace could see the attacker keep his spot in the team, while Memphis Depay will be looking to build on a man-of-the-match performance as he attempts to ignite his Man United career.
As for Arsenal, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is out with a knee injury that he picked up against Barcelona, while Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla remain on the sidelines for the capital outfit.
According to Wenger, centre-back Gabriel Paulista will be assessed on Saturday to determine whether he is fit to play a part, while former Man United striker Danny Welbeck is expected to start on the bench.
Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, who both scored in the Premier League meeting between the two teams earlier this season, should also start.
Man United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Varela, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Herrera, Schneiderlin; Depay, Mata, Lingard; Rashford
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal; Ramsey, Coquelin; Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez; Giroud
Head To Head
As mentioned, Arsenal recorded a 3-0 win when they welcomed Man United to the Emirates in the league earlier this season, which ended a run of eight league games without a victory against the Red Devils.
The Gunners have lost on six of their last eight visits to Old Trafford in the league, however, with their last success coming during the 2006-07 campaign.
Last season's Premier League match at Old Trafford, meanwhile, finished 1-1. Ander Herrera sent the home team into a 30th-minute lead, but a Tyler Blackett own-goal in the 82nd minute saw Man United miss the chance to jump above the Gunners in the table.
The Dugout Podcast
Hit play below to listen to Sports Mole's new podcast 'The Dugout' for our take on the week's biggest football talking points:
We say: Man United 1-1 Arsenal
Due to Man United's injury problems, Arsenal will enter Sunday's match as the favourites. There has been a freedom about Van Gaal's side in the last two matches, however, and the supporters are enjoying the involvement of a number of young players.
It is a massive match for both teams in terms of their own ambitions for the season and both managers will be seeking a vital win, but we are backing the points to be shared in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
No Data Analysis info
