Man Utd v Arsenal
Sunday 16:30, Sky Sports Main Event.
Match Odds: Man Utd 1.44, Arsenal 8.80, The Draw 5.00.
Sunday 16:30, Sky Sports Main Event.
Match Odds: Man Utd 1.44, Arsenal 8.80, The Draw 5.00.
Wenger's final trip to Old Trafford
Arsene Wenger has enjoyed so many memorable moments at Old Trafford throughout his 22 years in charge of Arsenal, and this will be his final visit. He has some great memories, like Marc Overmars putting Arsenal in the driving seat in the 1997/98 title fight, and Sylvain Wiltord clinching the league four years later. But there have also been major defeats: 6-1, 4-0, 8-2. He'll hope to finish with a victory here.
The problem, though, is that Arsenal must concentrate almost fully on their midweek trip to Atletico Madrid, with a huge task to clinch victory after Thursday's disappointing 1-1 draw. Therefore, we can expect wholesale changes from Wenger.
Arsenal changes
He's likely to bring in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang upfront, because he's cup-tied for European competition and doesn't need to be rested. Behind him, expect to see Reiss Nelson and Alex Iwobi in close support, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan possibly in the frame to start against his former club, although he might be best off resting ahead of the Atletico game.
Mohamed Elneny is out, so Arsenal are struggling for numbers in the centre of midfield. Granit Xhaka may retain his place, perhaps with youngster Joe Willock making his second start of the campaign.
Defensively, Wenger does have options. Calum Chambers, Rob Holding and Sead Kolasinac should all feature. He'll need to find another defender from somewhere - Ainsley Maitland-Niles may deputise. Petr Cech should return in goal, with David Ospina the designated cup keeper.
United likely to stick with last weekend's system
Arsenal, you suspect, are there for the taking - and Jose Mourinho will be unlikely to spare Arsenal, and Wenger, a beating. He's unlikely to deviate, however, from the 4-3-3 system which has worked well recently, with Paul Pogba playing from the left of midfield.
In the front three, Alexis Sanchez will play wide-left and will presumably be particularly keen to get himself onto the scoresheet against his former club. Expect Romelu Lukaku to lead the line, and while Jesse Lingard is in good form and seems likely to start the cup final on the right, Mourinho will probably take the opportunity to give minutes to Marcus Rashford, with Juan Mata and Anthony Martial also in the picture.
United should get a grip on midfield against an Arsenal side likely to lack attacking threat from that zone. Ander Herrera plays a good, hard-working role to the right while Nemanja Matic will protect the defence.
United start as strong favourites
Eric Bailly is United's only major doubt. Expect Phil Jones and Chris Smalling to reprise their partnership from last weekend's semi-final. It's odd to think that they played together in the famous 8-2 back in 2011, and yet both are still trying to establish themselves in the United side seven years on. It's equally odd that Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young, two former wingers, are now first-choices in the full-back positions, but both have been solid this season.
David De Gea was the only player from either of these two sides in the PFA Team of the Year, and is so frequently the man who makes the difference.
I think this will be a pretty comfortable victory for United against a depleted Arsenal team. I particularly worry about Arsenal's ability to compete in midfield, and this could be the type of game that Pogba grabs by the scruff of the neck and dominates. I'll back him to open the scoring at 10.00.
The Betfair Trader's View - Alan Thompson
The Gunners were left frustrated on Thursday evening as they only managed a 1-1 draw at home, against 10 men for the vast majority of the game, in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final, a competition which is very much their priority now. As a result of this I imagine their focus will be on the return trip to Madrid and not what is normally a historic Premier League clash.
Jose Mouirinho’s men have been on a solid run of form, culminating in reaching the FA Cup final and there is a good atmosphere around the club at the minute, despite local rivals City taking the title. This is their toughest remaining league game (on paper) and with no real distractions, and being fresher, I think they will be fully focused on getting maximum points with Liverpool still challenging for second place.
I am expecting there will be some squad rotation by Arsenal and I think that is also reflected in the markets, United are very short for this game at 1.45 but it’s not difficult to understand why. As well as Arsenal having one eye on next week they have won only three of their 16 Premier League away games this campaign and United are undefeated in 13 of their last 14 home matches against Arsenal in all competitions.
I will be backing the hosts to have this wrapped up by half time by backing Man Utd / Man Utd in the Half Time/Full Time market at anything better than 2.20.
