On Saturday, Manchester United will travel to the Emirates to renew their classic rivalry with Arsenal. Both sides have struggled in the early going this year, and sit outside the top five. In addition, both are dealing with injury crises of epic proportions. United currently have a dozen players on the injury list while Arsenal have nearly half a dozen starting XI casualties as well. Read on for our predicted starting XIs for each team...
Manchester United
De Gea, Shaw, Carrick, McNair, Valencia, Di Maria, Herrera, Fellaini, Mata, Rooney, Van Persie
Arsenal
Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlin, Cazorla, Welbeck
Analysis
United enter this one with a dozen first team players on the injury list, and some will face pre-match fitness tests to be assured they are good to play. That being said, it is still a strong, albeit attacking-wise, lineup. David De Gea will make his return from international duty where he dislocated a finger but is expected to be good to play. Looking elsewhere along the back line, only Luke Shaw can be confident in the knowledge that he is likely the first-choice in his position. With Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Jonny Evans still injured, Michael Carrick will likely be pressed into service there. In the final match before the international break, Daley Blind took up this position but with his knee injury suffered while on Holland duty, it will likely be Carrick slotting in. Alongside him will be young Paddy McNair. Apart from fellow youth-teamer Tom Thorpe, McNair is the only defender fully fit and available for selection in this one. As was mentioned above, Jones, Blind, Evans and Rojo are all injured while Chris Smalling is still suspended for his escapades at the Etihad. Winger turned right back Antonio Valencia will round out the back line, and he will step in because Rafael is injured and his usual replacements are either injured or suspended.
Next turning our eyes to midfield, we see another patchwork piece. Without the injured Blind or Carrick to anchor the midfield, that job will likely fall to Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini. Juan Mata and Angel Di Maria will likely be given costless roles throughout the midfield while Herrera will circulate possession and Fellaini will attempt to break up Arsenal's passing. Up top, expect Wayne Rooney to partner Robin Van Persie as Radamel Falcao is still out injured. The Colombian has yet to regularly feature for the Reds, and is out a further two weeks.
Under normal circumstances, coming up against Arsenal with this sort of patched-up team would seem to ensure a loss. However, Arsenal have been nearly as snake-bitten as United in terms of injuries. Left back Nacho Monreal has been forced to play in the heart of defence as Laurent Koscielny is out, and Calum Chambers cannot step into the center as he is covering for the injured Mathieu Debuchy. Given the way that Chambers was tormented in Arsenal's loss to Swansea two weeks ago, expect Di Maria to attack him at every turn.
The Gunners get much stronger as they move up the field, and with the exception of Mesut Ozil are nearly at full strength in the center of the park. It will be the job of Fellaini to prevent the neat interchanges that Arsenal are known for, and they will be strong in midfield. Moving up top, Danny Welbeck has been leading the line in the abscence of Olivier Giroud, and he will be excited for this one against his former club. While without the injured Alexis Sanchez, attacking wise this team is one to be reckoned with.
Final Thoughts
Both teams will be putting out horrible defenses and great attacks. Expect goals galore in this one, and what will hopefully be a classic fixture in this rivalry.