Premier League icon Michael Owen has made a bold prediction ahead of Manchester United’s clash against Arsenal this weekend.
Michael Carrick will oversee his second match as Manchester United head coach since returning to the club, with a stern Premier League challenge awaiting away at Arsenal on Sunday.
United made a powerful statement under Carrick last week, producing a thrilling display to beat Manchester City 2–0 at Old Trafford. The scoreline could have been even more emphatic, with three additional goals disallowed for offside.
It was among the most convincing performances supporters have witnessed in recent memory and has reignited optimism ahead of the trip to North London.
Arsenal currently hold a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, although their momentum was checked by a goalless draw with Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
With United firmly in the hunt for Champions League qualification, Sunday’s clash promises to be a tense and explosive encounter.
Owen suggests four United players will shine vs Arsenal
Ahead of United’s trip to the Emirates Stadium, Michael Owen has shared his thoughts on the clash between Carrick and Mikel Arteta’s sides.
The former striker has claimed that the game will be similar to United’s win over City, with the league-leaders set to dominate possession, and he thinks this could benefit United.
In fact, Owen has suggested that this kind of game will suit United’s four-man defence ‘massively’. Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez and Luke Shaw will likely keep their places in the team.
“Now they’re going to go to Arsenal and it’s going to be pretty similar,” Owen said on the Premier League Productions’ ‘The Final Word,’. “They’re going to be out of possession for a lot of the time. They’re going to be sitting deep.
“[That] suits their back four’s back form massively and they’re going to have pace on the attack.”
Owen fancies United vs Arsenal
Speaking further, Owen has claimed that he thinks United could get a victory against Arteta’s men due to their ability to hit them on the break.
“So, actually, this game, I actually fancy Manchester United at the moment against the better teams,” he continued.
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“I think they really suit sucking up pressure and hitting with pace on the attack. Now, over time, they’re going to have to develop and beat the lesser teams, let’s say, in the league.
“But I don’t think they’re going to be scared of going to Arsenal and sitting back and playing to their strengths like they did at the weekend.”
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