Five Things We Observe As Manchester United Travel To Arsenal
By Max Wise, Joshua Walters
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United take on Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday’s late kickoff, and PredictionBoard.com is hightlighting on the five things it has observed about Manchester United.
1 Manchester United have the best psyche
Solskjaer’s Red Devils go to the Emirates Stadium on the back of a surprising Champions League win against Paris St Germain at the Parc des Princes.
United went to the Parc des Princes not just to beat Paris St Germain 3-1 but also eliminate the pre-match favourites from the Champions League on away goal rule after pegging the aggregate to 3-3.
Arsenal, on the other hand, suffered a shocking 3-1 defeat at Rennes, in the Europa League, in France after striking first.
Whereas, Manchester United have changed a good number of the negative scripts regarding their chances of going far in the Champions League, Arsenal, who initially were tipped as one of the favourites to win the Europa League, has led people into thinking that they cannot do so.
2. The Marcus Rashford Factor
Marcus Rashford burst into the limelight as a teenager three seasons ago when he scored a brace against Arsenal in his first Premier League appearance for Manchester United.
Almost three years have passed and the young forward is still showing the world how grown he has become in the game as his side meet Arsenal once again in the league.
Rashford, 21, had hitherto not played any penalty for Manchester United in regulations time as referee Skominah handed the Red Devils a decisive late penalty against PSG.
There were other elderly players on the pitch, including Romelu Lukaku, who was on a hat trick.
But Rashford elected himself for the kick, came up against the mighty Gianluigi Buffon and kept his composure against the intimidating home crowd to bury the ball with precision and tact.
It, however, comes as no wonder that Solskjaer spoke so highly about the player to the press ahead of the game against Arsenal.
"That'd be fantastic - we call it the legends, we've had at this club that has stayed so long and one club players,” Solskjaer said when asked if Rashford could become a United legend.
"We hope Rashy's gonna be one to them up to him and us if he keeps producing he'll stay in the team and that's up to him."
3. A return for Anthony Martial.
Anthony Martial is in line to play against Arsenal after the Frenchman has been on the sidelines for nearly three weeks with a groin injury.
The news comes as a major boost to the Red Devils as Martial can be a nightmare to every defender on the planet when he is in his elements.
Solskjaer recognised the attacker's potentials when he broke the news of his eligibility to the press on Friday.
"Anthony will be available and hopefully we'll have Nemanja [Matic] and/or Ander [Herrera] ready as well, so looking better for it," he said.
" They just need to have another couple of days training with the team, they've done well in their recovery work. Martial is one of our most influential players and getting him back comes as a major addition for us."
4. Romelu Lukaku's Blistering Form
Lukaku is on fire for Manchester United at the moment, having scored a brace each in the last three games of the side.
It is obvious to think that the Belgian striker is poised to build on his strikes at PSG by scoring on Sunday.
Lukaku's confidence in front of goal has improved and the player, who has scored twice at Crystal Palace Southampton and PSG, would definitely be craving to score again at the Emirates.
And Solskjaer read into the thinking of Lukaku when he told the press about how he has managed to get the best out of the player.
"I don't think a lot has changed, he's been asked to play wide a few times to provide more chances," said the temporary boss.
"But now he's more in and around the box, played with two up at PSG and they [Lukaku and Rashford] might form a very nice partnership together, wouldn't like them to be running at me."
5. Manchester United have a lot of options
Paul Pogba is eligible to play after sitting out of the PSG game due to suspension.
And with Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera also in contention for a start, the Red Devils may present a formidable front at the Emirates than they did at PSG.
Fred and Scott McTominay were excellent against PSG, but there is a huge possibility the two would be dropped for Herrera and Matic.
The two new arrivals, on paper, could improve the Old Trafford club.
Solskjaer has hinted he could make some changes for the match against Arsenal to protect against fatigue.
"Of course fitness issue plays in more than ever, got players coming in, players who put a shift in, one of the hardest nights we had physically, probably this one and the Arsenal cup game were the two toughest games we had," Solskjaer explained.
"Scott [McTominay] and Fred covered the ground so much and is something we have to consider."
