Man Utd predicted lineup vs Arsenal - Premier League
- Ruben Amorim faces up against Mikel Arteta on Wednesday night
- Amorim is without suspended duo Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez
- Bruno Fernandes picked up knock on Sunday but should be fine to play
A huge test beckons for Ruben Amorim just four games into his Manchester United career. The Red Devils face a resurgent Arsenal in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
The two grand English clubs have also been paired against each other in the third round of the FA Cup, so Amorim's certainly going to get familiar with Mikel Arteta's side in year one.
Amorim, who helped knock Arteta's Gunners out of the Europa League two seasons ago, has enjoyed an unbeaten start to his reign in Manchester, but this fixture represents a considerable step up in difficulty from Ipswich, Bodo/Glimt and Everton.
The Red Devils have already been dealt a couple of big blows on the availability front for Wednesday's game. Here's the team Amorim could pick at the Emirates to take on Arsenal.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Arsenal (3-4-2-1)
GK: Andre Onana - Onana has enjoyed an excellent second season between the sticks, and it may well take a heroic performance from United's number one for the visitors to earn a positive result on Wednesday.
CB: Noussair Mazraoui - There were some questions over the role Mazraoui would perform under Amorim, but he's settled into the new manager's back three without fuss.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt - De Ligt has grown used to performing in a back three for the national team and occasionally at Juventus. The central role should suit his defensive profile, although Arsenal may use him as a pressing trigger when United have the ball.
CB: Harry Maguire - Lisandro Martinez's suspension, and another injury setback for Luke Shaw, places Maguire in the left-sided defensive role.
RWB: Amad Diallo - The major revelation of Amorim's arrival thus far. Amad has dazzled in a wing-back role and was particularly brilliant in Sunday's win over Everton. He's a man Arsenal must keep an eye on.
CM: Casemiro - The Brazilian perhaps hasn't yet returned to his 2022/23 form, but he's doubtlessly improved in recent weeks after a dire second season. The experienced midfielder is re-emerging as a key cog.
CM: Manuel Ugarte - Kobbie Mainoo's suspension is a big blow for the visitors, who now lack a midfield conductor. However, Amorim trusts Ugarte from their time together in Lisbon and he should get the nod in north London.
LWB: Diogo Dalot - Shaw could be a contender for the left wing-back role if Maguire comes into the back three, but Dalot will continue in the position if Amorim decides to replace Martinez with Shaw.
AM: Bruno Fernandes - United's creative talisman is a doubt for Wednesday's game after taking a knock to the ankle on Sunday, but it'd be a big surprise if he wasn't fit to start at the Emirates.
AM: Marcus Rashford - Goals, goals, goals! Rashford has enjoyed a timely return to the scoresheet ahead of a fixture he typically delivers in. He's scored on his previous two visits to the Emirates.
ST: Joshua Zirkzee - Zirkzee may well have played himself into Wednesday's XI after scoring a brace in Sunday's win over the Toffees. The Dutch forward's willingness to drop deep could prove useful in allowing Rashford to penetrate in behind the Arsenal defence.
READ THE LATEST MAN UTD NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
feed