Potential Manchester United XI vs Arsenal
In a game that was tipped to be the decider for a Top 4 place, Manchester United vs Arsenal is now rather meaningless. With the championship already secured over at Stamford Bridge, while both sides along with Manchester City have secured Champions League football for next season means that neither side have much to play for other than pride.
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Arsenal are currently sitting in third place, three points ahead of Manchester United but with a game in hand. While Manchester United would ideally like to overtake the Gunners into third to avoid a Champions League qualifier in August, both fans and the side seem to have accepted that they blew their chance of a Top 3 finish when they lost three games on the bounce last month.
With that said, Louis van Gaal will be intent on exacting revenge on Arsenal following the FA Cup exit at Old Trafford earlier this season so any hopes that fans may have of seeing some youth prospects thrown into the first-team fold may have to wait until the final game of the season against relegation-threatened Hull.
In goal, David De Gea could be preparing for his final home game in the Red of Manchester United. The Spaniard is still being heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer and as we edge nearer to the opening of the transfer window, it seems more and more likely that De Gea will be on his way out. With van Gaal ideally looking to beat Arsenal to end the season with momentum, whether he’s set to leave the club or not he will start the game on Sunday.
In defence, it will likely be much of the same as it has been in recent weeks. Antonio Valencia will start at right-back thanks to Rafael’s broken rib while Chris Smalling will partner the fit again Phil Jones in central defence. The English duo have shown their strengths at the back as a partnership this season and have become manager Louis van Gaal’s first choice picks, even when Argentine Marcos Rojo has been fit. Luke Shaw is fit enough to start at left-back following his head injury last week in the win over Crystal Palace that forced him to the hospital in the first-half.
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In midfield, van Gaal could opt to change it slightly. Daley Blind, Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera are the likeliest to play in the midfield three but with the game not meaning much he could be tempted to experiment. Youngster Ben Pearson didn’t feature for the Under 21’s this week as they thrashed Manchester City, which led to some theories that he could have a part to play in the first-team squad.
Juan Mata has been a regular on the right wing since the dismissal of Angel Di Maria back in March’s FA Cup tie between these two sides and has performed to an impeccable standard. While Di Maria is quite clearly struggling for confidence, what better time to get him some momentum back as the season comes to an end than a meaningless game in front of his own fans? While Mata’s ability has shone through on the wing, his best position is still central and he could start ahead of Fellaini in the middle as Arsenal aren’t known for their physicality.
Another option for that advanced midfield role is Wayne Rooney. With Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao possibly travelling to Old Trafford as a part of the home side for the final time too, van Gaal could be tempted to use either in the lone striking position as a parting gift of sorts. Rooney’s position just off the striker is arguably his favoured role and while he doesn’t pose an aerial threat like the Belgian, he offers a similar physical presence and is more than efficient enough when going forward.
Adnan Januzaj tormented the Manchester City Under 21 side during his display in midweek and he could make another appearance for the first team before the season is out. Ashley Young has been one of United’s most consistent players in recent months but there were reports that he barely trained last week before completing 90 minutes against Crystal Palace. Should that be the case, van Gaal could opt to use the Belgian winger instead rather than risk any long-term damage to the former Aston Villa man.
Credit: sharemytactics.com
Credit: sharemytactics.com