United Beyond Manchester

If Manchester United has done one thing well this season, it has stifled teams pushing for trophies. Liverpool knows this all too well. Arsenal are in the home stretch of a title push and are facing stiff competition from Manchester City. Can Manchester United get a result and crush Arsenal’s title aspirations?

Historical Highlight

In February 2001, the top two teams in the Premier League, Manchester United and Arsenal, met at Old Trafford. United already had a commanding hold on the top spot in the league, and Arsenal needed something to go right to get back into the race. Let’s just say it went very wrong…

Three minutes into the match, a brilliant move led to Dwight Yorke’s first goal of the day. In the 16th minute, Thierry Henry poked home for Arsenal to make it 1-1. That scoreline lasted all of two minutes. Dwight Yorke found his second and third goals in the 18th and 22nd minutes. Those two quality finishes completed a twenty-two-minute first-half hat trick. Goals from Roy Keane and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made it 5-1 at the half, and a late Teddy Sheringham goal capped off an incredible 6-1 win for Manchester United.

Current Form

Manchester United produced one of the club’s worst-ever performances against Crystal Palace on Monday. The 4-0 drubbing was an embarrassment to the club. The Reds have won just three games since the beginning of March in what has been a horrific end to the season. A reaction is a must, with an FA Cup Final against Manchester City on the horizon.

Arsenal are pushing for the title. They have won their last four Premier League games by a combined score of 13-2. They need wins in their final two games to keep pressure on Manchester City, who has a game in hand. Mikel Arteta’s team are in fine form and will look to continue that at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Team News

Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes should be fit enough to play from the start on Sunday. If Erik Ten Hag’s recent tactics are any indication, Lisandro Martinez will also likely start despite a re-injury risk.

Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial, and Luke Shaw have all returned to training, but only McTominay is likely to make the squad for Sunday’s showdown.

Harry Maguire, Willy Kambwala, Victor Lindelof, and Raphael Varane have not returned to training and are doubts to feature again this season.

Arsenal are at full strength heading into their final two matches. Jurrien Timber, who has not featured since his unfortunate injury in the first game of the season, has a chance to make the traveling squad.

Predicted Starting XI

Goalkeeper: Andre Onana
Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans, Diogo Dalot
Midfielders: Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes
Attackers: Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford

Match Prediction

Manchester United will earn a 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal. United needs a response, and the Reds will fight hard to earn a draw against the league leaders. Captain Bruno Fernandes will bury a penalty for the Reds, and Kai Havertz will score for the visitors. It will be a crippling result for the Gunners, and Manchester City will finish the weekend on the top of the table.

One Bold Prediction

Manchester United will show up to play. It is terrible that this is in my “One Bold Prediction” section, but that is where we are now. The 4-0 humbling was terrible for the club, but it also means that some players’ futures are even more murky. The players will come out with a point to prove to show the new club leadership why they should be a part of their future plans.

Drop your score predictions and lineups in the comments!