Michael Carrick will have to make a tough decision about Noussair Mazraoui as Manchester United travel to face Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Michael Carrick is set to take charge of his second Manchester United game since returning to the club, with a vital Premier League trip to Arsenal coming up on Sunday.
United impressed on Carrick’s return last week, turning in an outstanding performance to beat Manchester City 2-0 at Old Trafford. The victory could have been even more convincing, with three further goals ruled out for offside.
It was one of the strongest displays supporters have seen from the side in recent years and has fuelled optimism ahead of the visit to North London.
Arsenal sit seven points clear at the top of the table, although a lacklustre 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest at the weekend slowed their progress. With United chasing Champions League qualification, the fixture is shaping up to be an intense and decisive encounter on Sunday.
Carrick may make one change vs Arsenal
Senne Lammens has started every game since his debut at the beginning of October, and after securing his third clean sheet for the club last week, he is expected to remain in goal as United travel to North London.
However, a big decision may have to be made about right-back. Diogo Dalot has received plenty of criticism for his performances of late, and amid Noussair Mazraoui’s return from Morocco, some have called for the latter to start.
But Mazraoui has not been spotted in any training footage this week after being handed a few extra days off after the Africa Cup of Nations final. It looks likely that Carrick will forego starting him. After stellar displays elsewhere, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez, and Luke Shaw will return to the back line, too.
In the midfield, Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro are almost a dead certainty to start following their respective displays against City.
It was Mainoo’s first 90 minutes in the Premier League since the last campaign, but he played as if he were a seasoned professional. Bruno Fernandes, who was magic last weekend, will play as the attacking midfielder.
The only change that may come could be who plays as the striker. Arsenal’s height at the back could nullify Bryan Mbeumo as the centre-forward, meaning a fresh Benjamin Šeško, who has scored three goals in his last two games, could be the better option.
However, Mbeumo cannot be dropped, so he could move to the left wing, a position he played a few times under Rúben Amorim. This would then have Amad on the right.
Shea Lacey has returned to the first-team squad following his suspension, with United confirming he will return to the first team. He may travel with the squad, and alongside Matheus Cunha and Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu, could form a formidable set of options off the bench.
United predicted XI vs Arsenal
Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Martínez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Fernandes, Mbeumo, Šeško.
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