Fernandes And Rashford To Start, Van De Beek And Martial Out: United’s Predicted XI To Face Arsenal

David Tully

4 years ago

Categories: Galleries, Manchester United News

Tags: Arsenal, Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United

After a somewhat subdued performance in the 0-0 draw against Chelsea last weekend, it was great to see Manchester United cutting loose to score five goals versus RB Leipzig on Wednesday night.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side do have issues with consistency and it will be hoped that their emphatic win in the Champions League will be a sign they will now kick on and put a good run of form together.

United face an Arsenal team this weekend who have also struggled to get the results expected of them in recent games, and it’s likely to be an even contest.

Press the next page as we go through our starting eleven for the clash against the Gunners on Sunday.

GK – David De Gea

Made a couple of smart stops in the win over RB Leipzig during the week and the Spaniard looks to be growing in confidence despite a somewhat difficult start to the season.

With Dean Henderson breathing down his neck, De Gea will be keen to keep his good form going when he lines up in goal at Old Trafford on Sunday.

RB – Aaron Wan-Bissaka

The 22-year-old’s form had dropped alarmingly at the beginning of the campaign but he has begun to show what he is all about in recent games. Off the back of two good matches versus Newcastle and Chelsea, he put in a masterful defensive display against Leipzig.

Wan-Bissaka still needs to improve in the attacking third of the pitch but, when he is in the type of mood he was in last night, he is an impenetrable wall.

CB – Victor Lindelof

Like most of United’s defenders, the Swedish international had well-documented struggles with his form earlier in the campaign but he has certainly turned a corner.

Lindelof was one of the best players on the pitch against Chelsea and he continued in the same vein versus Leipzig.

CB – Harry Maguire

The captain has had to battle his own demons in the opening weeks of the season, but he has begun to resemble more like the player United paid £80m for last summer.

Maguire’s commanding aerial presence makes him a top defender when he is in form, and he has definitely come back to the fore in the last few games.

LB – Luke Shaw

With Alex Telles not expected to be back for a while due to his positive COVID-19 test, it means Shaw will have the opportunity to make a case for himself to stay in the eleven.

Against Leipzig, he was keen to show that he could get forward just as much as his Portuguese teammate whilst also providing some good deliveries from set-pieces.

CM – Fred

The Brazilian was in top form during the week, and it would be a big surprise if manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer decides to drop him for the clash against Arsenal this weekend.

Fred does have a bad habit of dropping in a poor display here and there, though, but fans will be hoping for an extended run of good performances from the midfielder.

CM – Scott McTominay

Although Nemanja Matic did an admirable job as the anchorman in midfield on Wednesday night, Solskjaer may well consider rotating in this position ahead of Sunday’s game.

McTominay has done very little wrong in recent weeks and the Scottish international could be picked to start against the Gunners.

CM – Paul Pogba

The Frenchman contributed a lot more against Leipzig during the week and will be in contention to start versus Arsenal this weekend. Playing on the left of a midfield diamond looked to suit him but it remains to be seen whether Solskjaer will tinker with the formation.

Getting the best out of both Pogba and Bruno Fernandes will be key to United’s success this season, though, so the system used versus Leipzig may be employed again on Sunday.

AM – Bruno Fernandes

Donny van de Beek looked decent but Fernandes made a telling contribution last night after replacing the Dutchman midway through the second half.

The Portuguese international delivered a fantastic pass for Marcus Rashford to score the crucial second. He will almost certainly be picked to start Sunday’s clash against the Gunners.

CF – Mason Greenwood

Back in the starting eleven and getting on the scoresheet with the opening goal, it would be a surprise if the teenager doesn’t start his second consecutive game this weekend.

With Anthony Martial suspended, Greenwood is in line to make another appearance, but Solskjaer does have Edinson Cavani in reserve if he feels the Uruguayan is ready to start his first game for the Red Devils.

CF – Marcus Rashford

After coming off the bench to score a hat-trick during the week, Rashford is an absolute certainty to start against Arsenal on Sunday.

The 22-year-old’s confidence is sky-high, at the moment, and you wouldn’t bet against the forward getting on the scoresheet at Old Trafford once again in a massive league fixture.