Manchester United eyeing huge Premier League swoop from rivals
By Bence Bocsak
![FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1178800802,1196064545 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United (L) and Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal. Arsenal FC and Manchester United meet on January 1,2020 in a Premier League fixture at the Emirates Stadium in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 03: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League group L match between AZ Alkmaar and Manchester United at ADO Den Haag on October 03, 2019 in The Hague, Netherlands. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on December 26, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1178800802,1196064545 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United (L) and Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal. Arsenal FC and Manchester United meet on January 1,2020 in a Premier League fixture at the Emirates Stadium in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 03: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League group L match between AZ Alkmaar and Manchester United at ADO Den Haag on October 03, 2019 in The Hague, Netherlands. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on December 26, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/1e987fcf9bbda996d2535535dde163ff07bbc68797992edf636459a494802306.jpg)
According to the latest reports, Manchester United could be on the brink of making a huge move to sign an exciting player from one of their arch rivals.
For over a decade between the 90s and late 00s, it was the ultimate game. The fiercest rivalry. Players, fans and managers would clash on and off the pitch. There was fervent animosity. Unbridled hate. Manchester United vs Arsenal was one of the biggest recent rivalries of our time.
It stemmed from elitism. The two sides were the best in the Premier League. They were led by two of the greatest managers to have participated in the competition in Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson. The pair of them were masterminds. Geniuses. Yet polar opposites. Wenger was the wacky dude from Europe, preferring elegant and charming football. Slow build-ups and pass and move was his thing. Ferguson on the other hand had a more robust approach. The Scotsman deployed a physical and explosive style.
Perhaps the clash of styles is what made the matches between the two sides so intense.
More from Red Devil Armada
- Aaron Wan Bissaka out for ‘several weeks’ with injury
- Manchester United break an unwanted record after Brighton loss
- Sofyan Amrabat set to miss game against Brighton
- Preview: Manchester United vs Brighton – What you need to know
- Jadon Sancho set to train away from first team squad
However as the years went by, the rivalry waned.
It was Arsenal who fell from the pinnacle at first. The Gunners’ top stars slowly left one by one and Arsene Wenger struggled to rekindle the same spirit at the club.
Then Ferguson left United, and the Red Devils embarked on their very own decline.
The two sides are no longer at the pinnacle of English football. Liverpool led by Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City commandeered by Pep Guardiola are.
United vs Arsenal is no longer the biggest game in the football calendar.
However, the two club’s are desperate to change that and ignite the rivalry once more. Led by former players who had participated in those famous clashes on the pitch and with their philosophies aligned with the respective men who once coached them, there is potential in the rise of the two giants.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s latest plan could fuel the rivalry even more.
According to a report by the Daily Express, United are interested in signing Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka who only has a year remaining on his contract.
The 18 year old star is a hugely exciting prospect who has broken into Arsenal’s first team this season. Able to play as a full back and a winger, Bukayo Saka’s versatility could be a great utility option for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Bukayo Saka’s pace is well suited to the Norwegian’s style of play and if United managed to sign him, it would be a major blow to the Gunners.
Next. Is this the ideal striker target for Solskjaer?. dark
What do you think, should United sign Bukayo Saka?