Rúben Amorim is predicted to make an unpopular change that will leave fans worried has he selects his starting team to face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon as they host Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Rúben Amorim’s men were last in action midweek, drawing 1-1 with Real Sociedad in San Sebastián. Joshua Zirkzee’s opener was canceled out by a controversial penalty decision, leaving United frustrated.
This will be the third clash between United and Arsenal this season. The Gunners won 2-0 at the Emirates in December, but Amorim’s side responded a month later, winning a penalty shootout in the FA Cup after a 1-1 draw.
With Arsenal visiting Old Trafford for the first time under Amorim, the Portuguese coach will be looking to extend his positive record against Arteta and build momentum as the season enters its final phase.
Amorim predicted to make unpopular change
United will be heading into the fixture with pretty light defensive options as Lisandro Martínez, Jonny Evans, and possibly Harry Maguire all unavailable through injury. At the same time, Patrick Dorgu serves the second of a three-match ban.
While André Onana will start in goal, Dorgu’s absence means Diogo Dalot will likely have to cover as a left wing-back while Noussair Mazraoui steps up from centre-back to play on the right, meaning Amorim may have to play Victor Lindelöf from the start.
Lindelöf received a lot of criticism for his performance against Fulham, but unless Amorim chooses to hand youngster Harry Amass his debut to play on the left and keep Mazraoui in the back three, which is unlikely, the head coach has little choice but to make the no doubt unpopular call to start the Swede.
In midfield, Amorim recently confirmed that he does not expect Manuel Ugarte to return in time, meaning Casemiro will likely keep his place, with Bruno Fernandes alongside him.
There have been calls of late for 17-year-old Chido Obi to be handed his first start for United, but Amorim hinted earlier this week that he will look to continue with Rasmus Højlund as the striker when United play Arsenal.
However, it’s thought that the 40-year-old would be ready to throw Obi onto the field against his former side as a substitute if needed.
Against Sociedad, Zirkzee started on the left side of attack while Alejandro Garnacho was on the right, and the pair combined for the Dutchman’s goal, and Amorim may well choose to keep both of these players on those sides against Arsenal.
United predicted XI vs Arsenal
Onana, Yoro, De Ligt, Lindelöf, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot, Garnacho, Højlund, Zirkzee.
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