Manchester United had a very uninspiring result at Southampton over the weekend, drawing 2-2 with a side that currently sits in the relegation zone. The Red Devils fell behind 2-0, but battled back to salvage a point, but apparently their opposition wasn’t too thrilled with that result either.
That’s because the south coast club announced the firing of their manager, Mark Hughes, earlier today. Now United come home to face a side with a first year manager, one who has them undefeated in their last 19 across all competitions.
The Wednesday night meeting represent the 228th clash all time between the two clubs, with United having won 98 times and Arsenal 82. Let’s take a look at who United Manager Jose Mourinho might slot into the first team for the next installment of this overall very evenly matched series.
The Bank MUFC Starting XI Prediction (4-3-3)
Forwards: Anthony Martial, Romelu Lukaku, Jesse Lingard
Midfielders: Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba
Defenders: Luke Shaw, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Diogo Dalot
Goalkeeper: David de Gea
Arsenal vs Manchester United FYIs
Kickoff: Wednesday December 5, 8pm local, Old Trafford
Win probability according to Google: United 41%, Arsenal’s 32%, The draw probability is estimated at 27%.
Odds according to Betway: United are favored to win, backed at 11/8. Arsenal are backed at 19/10 while odds for a draw are 5/2
Starting XI Predictions: Arsenal
Injury/Unavailable Report: go to this link
Prediction: Arsenal 2, United 1
As always, feel free to post your own starting XI and final score predictions in the comments section
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.