Manchester United vs Arsenal – English Premier League – Preview

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Sreya

Manchester United hosts Arsenal at Old Trafford on 28th February, Sunday as the Red Devils aim to take a step closer to the top four of the English Premier League. Manchester United are on the sixth position in league standings with forty seven points from twenty six matches.

Arsenal are on the third position with fifty one points, five behind league leaders Leicester City and similar to Tottenham Hotspur who are ahead on goal difference. Both teams will take heart from their performances in the midweek in Europe – although Arsenal lost to Barcelona and Manchester United annihilated Midtjylland, both English clubs performed exceptionally amidst injury crisis and suspensions.

Team News

Manchester United have a lengthy list of absentees with Luke Shaw, Ashley Young, Phil Jones, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Wayne Rooney, Marouanne Fellaini, Will Keane and Antonio Valencia sidelined through injuries.

Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlaide Chamberlain are injured for the visitors while Gabriel Paulista is carrying a knock.

Manchester United Possible Starting Lineup: David de Gea, Guillermo Varela, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, Ander Herrera, Morgan Schneiderlin, Jesse Lingaard, Juan Mata, Memphis Depay, Marcus Rashford.

Arsenal Possible Starting Lineup: Petr Cech, Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Nacho Monreal, Francis Coquelin, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud.

Thoughts From Both Camps

“It’s football – you can win, lose or draw. The media is inconsistent. That’s different. It is the media. I cannot say that but it [injury crisis] is not so heavy as everybody thinks, but you never know.

In the month of March a lot of players are coming back, and then we have a strong selection again. Therefore, this match is very important, I think, for a lot of players.”

– Louis van Gaal, Manchester United.

“We are chasing and gaining momentum. We had two difficult games recently, but overall the psychological situation is quite different. All the players are focused and want to win and have great solidarity. This is a team that is very hungry, yes. This team wants to do well and is very conscientious. We have a job to relax them a little bit. I think it’s certainly top, top spirit-wise.”

– Arsene Wenger, Arsenal.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, the previous six encounters between these two clubs have resulted in two wins, two losses and two draws for either side. However, Manchester United are undefeated against Arsenal in eleven out of their last twelve home games in all competitions.

On current form, the visitors are more likely to win, with 3-1 being the most probable scoreline.