Summary
Manchester United host Arsenal on Monday night in what is arguably the biggest match of both team’s season. Each team share a proud history in the competition and the fine form of both teams could be the perfect recipe for an FA Cup classic.
Manchester United head into the fixture with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle on their back. Louis Van Gaal will be hoping that Ashley Young’s last gasp winner against the Magpies will spur the team on to further success. With the FA Cup being Manchester United’s most realistic chance of silverware, and with Arsenal’s poor record at Old Trafford (haven’t won since 2006) the Red Devils should fancy their chances.
With Arsenal nearly out of the Champions League and fighting in the ‘Rat Race’ for a top four position, the FA Cup may be Arsenal’s only real chance of silverware this season. Last season Arsenal ended their nine year troplyless drought by winning the very same competition, and Arsene Wenger will be hoping his side can win the prestigious competition for a second consecutive year.
Team news
The visitors will be without Brazilian Centre-back Gabriel who is expected to be out for up to three weeks with a hamstring injury. Szczesny (sick), Nacho Monreal (back) and Mathieu Flamini (hamstring) all face late fitness tests, whilst Jack Wilshere (ankle), Arteta (ankle), Diaby (calf) and Debuchy (shoulder) continue in their recovery.
Manchester United will be without Robin van Persie who continues to recover from an ankle injury, whilst Jonny Evans will miss the game after receiving a six match ban for his spitting incident with Paisse Cisse. Luke Shaw (hamstring) is a doubt for the match.
Source: arsenal.com
Team Line-Ups
Throughout the season Van Gaal has shown concern towards the lack of chance creation in his squad. However in the past two games, the Dutch manager has seen a positive change as his side have created a total of twenty-nine chances against both Newcastle and Sunderland, four more than inform side Liverpool have in their last two Premier League matchs. One key contributing factor to this is the change to a 4-2-3-1 formation. This formation adds width to Manchester United’s play, helping to stretch defences and opening up space for attackers to run into. This is particularly relevant to the teams who are lower down in the table (such as Sunderland and Newcastle), who will often set up with two banks of four in front of the United attack, with the aim of hitting them on the counter-attack. However, against Arsenal this may not be the case due their attacking prowess. If Arsenal do set up too attack, Manchester United will look to exploit the pace of their wingers to stretch the defence, targeting the likes of Mertesacker who has a clear lack of pace. With this said I feel that 4-2-3-1 is the go to formation for Manchester United, after all why change something that isn’t broken? (Yet)
Having saved Manchester United a number of times against Newcastle United, Spaniard David De Gea will continue his run in goal. Opta reported that Manchester United have made 25 errors leading to shots this season, with only Everton making more defensive errors, yet United have only conceded two goals from these defensive errors, showing how important De Gea has been for Van Gaal’s side. At right-back I expect Valencia to continue his run in the team, whilst at centre-back Chris Smalling may be partnered with Marcus Rojo. With Jonny Evan’s receiving a six game ban, Rojo is our best option for the left sided centre back. I expect Daley Blind to slot in at Left-back like he did for the Netherlands during the World Cup.
With Daley Blind in defence, space is left for Michael Carrick to fill in as the Anchor man of the midfield. Although he may not be fully fit, Carrick is the only realistic option apart from Fellaini in this position. Beside Carrick, Ander Herrera will look to continue his impressive form in the team. On the right hand side of the attack, Angel Di Maria should make an appearance. The Argentine has been inconsistent in his performances this season, however Van Gaal has backed the player saying that every player needs time to settle. On the left-wing I expect Ashley Young to continue on from his impressive performance against the Magpies. The English winger was instrumental in creating chances, and his ability to cross is a threat to any team.
Slotting in the hole I can see Van Gaal choosing Maroune Fellaini. Although the Belgian does not offer the technical ability of Juan Mata, his physical presence is a fantastic outlet for Manchester United. Defenders will always be aware of the threat he possesses, and this cautious attitude could potentially allow for United’s star players to have more of an influence on the game. In front of Fellaini I expect Rooney to make an appearance. Rooney has scored more goals against Arsenal than any other player in the Premier League (11), and the England international will be hoping to add his tally. Unlike Van Persie and Falcao, Rooney has shown a willingness to run in behind the oppositions defence as oppose to come short for the ball, and the forward will feel that he can do exactly this against the Arsenal defence.
To summarise, I can see it being a very open game between both sides and each keeper will be tested. As an optimistic United supporter, I can see the Red Devils come away with a 2-1 victory over the Gunners.
James Bingham
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