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Manchester United travel to the Emirates on Friday to take on Arsenal in an exciting FA Cup 4th Round fixture. United have won 7 straight in all competitions under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and look to make it 8 against the Gunners, who are coming off an impressive 2-0 victory over Chelsea. The two historic clubs met just over a month ago at Old Trafford in a strange 2-2 draw in the Premier League. A lot has changed in that time, and Manchester United have now closed the once considerable gap between themselves and Arsenal in the league table.
The FA Cup could be Manchester United’s best chance at achieving silverware this season, and the squad will be determined to deliver a victory to the fans after the disappointing 1-0 loss to Chelsea last season in the Final at Wembley. Arsenal have been regular contenders for the FA Cup throughout their history, and have won the historic competition 3 times in the last 5 seasons, overtaking United as the competition’s most successful club.
The Busby Babe wants to give their readers a voice too in the lead up to big fixtures like this. Let us see your predictions for this key fixture in the polls and in the comments!
Tactics
United have pressed their opponents consistently under Ole, a change that has gotten the best out of the attacking players in the squad, notably Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba. Should we expect more of the same, or will Ole change it up for the Cup?
Poll
What do you expect from Manchester United tactically vs. Arsenal?
This poll is closed
-
72%
High pressure when dispossessed, high percentage of possession and pressing for goals
(69 votes) -
13%
Absorb pressure on defense, low percentage of possession and counterattack/pressure from behind for goals
(13 votes) -
12%
Adapt to Arsenal’s approach, pressure for the win in the second half
(12 votes) -
1%
Other (Comment)
(1 vote)
Defense
United’s defense has improved under Ole, but they’ve still let in a couple goals they shouldn’t have. They will need to be alert against Unai Emery’s Arsenal, who have already scored twice against United this season.
Luke Shaw’s status is an area of concern after being withdrawn from the lineup just before kickoff against Brighton. It was reported he fell ill just before the match, but Diogo Dalot filled in admirably on the left in his place.
Eric Bailly has completed his suspension after a nasty red card picked up against Bournemouth, but rode the bench for the full 90 against Brighton last weekend. Should he regain his place in the starting 11 over Phil Jones or Victor Lindelof?
Poll
Who should start in defense at Arsenal?
This poll is closed
-
25%
Young, Jones, Lindelof, Dalot
(27 votes) -
2%
Young, Jones, Bailly, Dalot
(3 votes) -
66%
Young, Bailly, Lindelof, Dalot
(71 votes) -
4%
Other (Comment)
(5 votes)
Midfield
Ole seems set on keeping Pogba, Nemanja Matic, and Ander Herrera as his regulars, though Juan Mata did make an appearance off the bench against Brighton, and Ole rotated nearly the entire squad in the FA Cup 3rd Round win over Reading, though Reading is a bit less of a challenge for United’s reservists than Arsenal.
Should Ole leave things the way the are for Arsenal, or rotate again? And if so, who should break into the starting 11?
Poll
Should United change up their midfield for Arsenal?
Poll
If United change their midfield for Arsenal, who should come into the starting 11?
This poll is closed
-
45%
Juan Mata
(41 votes) -
32%
Fred
(30 votes) -
2%
Marouane Fellaini
(2 votes) -
2%
Scott McTominay
(2 votes) -
17%
Andreas Pereira
(16 votes)
Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez has a golden opportunity to make up for the last year of misery at United, but should he get the chance? Will he get the chance?
God, please let Alexis score the winner so that transfer can be funny again
— Colin Damms (@Colintheshots95) January 7, 2019
Steal a living for 12 months then knock Arsenal out of the cup? OH MY GOD.
— Brent (@brentmaximin) January 7, 2019
United’s forwards have all done well with their opportunities under Ole, including Alexis, who has 2 assists to his name in his 2 appearances since returning from injury. There is no doubt that Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are the two first choice wingers/strikers at the moment, and Jesse Lingard has done well rotating in and out with Rashford and Martial in the forward spaces. Alexis and Romelu Lukaku have been used sparingly, but with the schedule tightening up around FA Cup and Champions League fixtures perhaps it’s time they saw more action.
Poll
Should Alexis and/or Lukaku be given a chance against Arsenal
This poll is closed
-
43%
Yes (Both)
(47 votes) -
37%
Yes (Alexis only)
(40 votes) -
8%
Yes (Lukaku only)
(9 votes) -
11%
No (Both
(12 votes)
Match Prediction
Finally, give us your prediction for Arsenal vs. Manchester United.
Vote for your predicted result below, and give us your scoreline in the comments!
Poll
Predict the result for Arsenal vs. Manchester United
This poll is closed
-
13%
Big United win
(19 votes) -
65%
Close United win
(91 votes) -
5%
Draw
(7 votes) -
12%
Close Arsenal win
(17 votes) -
3%
Big Arsenal win
(5 votes)