How the two teams could shape up come Sunday
Manchester United host Arsenal on Super Sunday, with both teams having secured Champions League spots in previous weeks. However, with two Premier League games remaining, United could potentially leap frog their rivals into third spot come the end of the season.
The Gunners’ sit third on 70 points, with United fourth on 68. Two points separate the two sides, so it could be a tense encounter with both teams wanting third place.
The difference between third and fourth is huge in terms of Champions League qualification, as the team who finishes fourth has to endure a qualifier; rather than going straight into the group stages.
Despite this, Arsene Wenger’s side might be looking upwards rather than over their shoulder. They are only three points behind second placed Manchester City, with a game in hand at home to relegation threatened Sunderland.
Manchester United team and tactics:
I believe Louis van Gaal’s men will set-up in their usual 4-3-3 formation that has brought them success over recent weeks. This could be the team:
David De Gea, Luis Antonia Valencia, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw, Daley Blind, Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata, Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney
With United having already secured fourth place ahead of their arch rivals Liverpool, they may go for the win in this match as they have nothing to lose. Both teams like to dominate possession in the middle of the park and both are likely to line-up with three central midfielders.
However, I believe United may look to play on the counter attack, getting the ball wide to Ashley Young and Juan Mata early in order to exploit Arsenal’s full-backs who like to push forward.
I expect Mata and Young to be supported by the likes of Valencia and Shaw, who are also attack minded full backs. This is because Ozil and Sanchez aren’t likely to track back when playing in a front three. Early crosses from Young and Mata could hurt the Gunners, especially with the aerial threat of Fellaini, who headed the winner at Crystal Palace last week.
The fit again Wayne Rooney will also be a threat, he has a solid goal scoring record against Arsenal. He scored the winner in the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium, where United took the spoils in a 2-1 victory.
Arsenal team and tactics:
I believe Arsene Wenger will set-up his team in their standard 4-3-3 formation and will probably stick with the team that lost to Swansea on Monday night:
David Ospina, Hector Bellerin, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Francis Coquelin, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud
Arsenal are in a very different situation to their opponents, the fact that they don’t need to win may prompt a different type of performance from the North London side. A draw would suit them down to the ground, as that would see them keep their two point gap over United with an extra game to their name.
Arsenal are renowned for their slick passing and creativity in the final third and the way they dominate possession against teams. However, I can see this performance being similar to the one they put in the last time they played a Premier League fixture in Manchester. Wenger’s men took all three points in a 2-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City.
During that victory, Arsenal were very resolute and organised, they focused themselves defensively. The Gunners knew that if they could keep their clean sheet intact, they would always have the quality on the break to grab a goal or two.
I can see a similar kind of style from Arsenal on Sunday, with the circumstances being in their hands. BUT I wouldn’t write off an Arsenal victory, as they won 2-1 at Old Trafford in the FA Cup quarter finals, with ex-Red Devil Danny Welbeck hitting the winner.
By Kieran Makin
Twitter: @kieranmaksports
