MANCHESTER UTD VS ARSENAL: PREVIEW
- Bobby Vincent
- Dec 5, 2018
- 2 min read
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United are having a bit of an injury-crisis with their defenders. But Jose Mourinho will be hoping Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly will recover from injury problems.
Ashley Young will serve a one-match suspension, and Phil Jones is set to miss out with an injury.
Both Luke Shaw and Romelu Lukaku will be assessed after being forced off with injuries in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Southampton.
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards since the start of the season.
Mesut Ozil is a doubt for the Gunners, with the German midfielder suffering with back spasms.
THE MANAGERS
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has insisted that Arsenal "know it won't be easy" despite United's injury issues.
"We will have a very difficult match. They are a good team who have had a good run of results. But in spite of our selection issues, they know it won't be easy either.
"We don't need a miracle (to finish in the top four) at all. I think we need a good run of results and we don't need to waste points where we shouldn't be wasting them."
Arsenal head coach Unai Emery has described Wednesday's match as "very motivating", with his first trip to Old Trafford as Arsenal boss.
"It will be a very big challenge for us and it will confirm our good moment, or whether we need more.
"It is very difficult to win there because they are a very big team with big players and have a big atmosphere pushing them, but it is an exciting match and my motivation is big."
MATCH STATS
The last 82 fixtures between these two in all competitions have featured one or both of Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Manchester United are on an 11-game unbeaten run at Old Trafford against Arsenal in the Premier League.
However, Arsenal did win at Old Trafford in the FA Cup quarter-finals in March 2015.
United's only home defeat so far this season came at the hands of Arsenal's North London rivals Tottenham (0-3).
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored with his last 10 shots on target for Arsenal, with no 'keeper saving a shot from him since August.
BETTING ODDS
Manchester United: 29/20
Draw: 5/2
Arsenal: 2/1
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