Get ready for a thrilling encounter as Manchester United gears up to face Arsenal, the league leaders, this Sunday! Fresh off a thrilling derby victory, United aims to continue its winning streak and climb up the table.
Michael Carrick's tenure started on a high note with a confident win over the crosstown rivals, but now he faces another challenging test against the Gunners. A win here could see United break into the top four, but it won't be easy against an Arsenal side that's yet to lose at home this season.
Let's dive into the team news, TV coverage, and more as we build up to this highly anticipated match.
How to Watch and Follow:
The 16:30 GMT kick-off against Arsenal will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League in the UK. But if you can't catch it on TV, you can still follow the action with us on MUTV, the United App, and ManUtd.com. Our Matchday Live show starts at 15:30 GMT, offering exclusive pre-match analysis and live commentary as the game unfolds at Emirates Stadium.
Join us throughout the day on the app and online for team news updates, player interviews, interactive content, and all the post-match reactions.
Team News:
Noussair Mazraoui has returned to Manchester after a narrow defeat with Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal. Whether he's ready for action this weekend remains uncertain, and we might get an update from Carrick during his pre-match media briefing on Friday afternoon.
Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt missed last weekend's derby due to injuries, and our head coach may provide further updates during his press conference. On a positive note, academy graduate Shea Lacey is available for this match after serving a one-match suspension for picking up two yellow cards in the FA Cup against Brighton & Hove Albion.
For Arsenal, Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, and young Max Dowman are sidelined with injuries. Mikel Arteta might share more details during his pre-match press conferences.
Form Guide and Past Meetings:
United faces a formidable opponent this weekend, as the Gunners have lost just two games in all competitions so far. However, the Reds arrive with momentum, having lost only one of their last ten Premier League outings. The Emirates has been a tough venue for United recently, but there's a notable triumph to remember - the FA Cup win just over a year ago.
Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring, but Gabriel equalized for Arsenal. Diogo Dalot's sending off added to the drama, and when Martin Odegaard stepped up for a penalty in the 70th minute, Altay Bayindir's save kept United in the game. The match went to penalties, and Bayindir's heroics denied Kai Havertz, sending United through to the next round.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Did You Know?
Mikel Arteta is one of the three managers Carrick faced during his caretaker spell with United in 2021. That Premier League meeting at Old Trafford ended in a 3-2 victory for United, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernandes scoring the goals.
Carrick's unbeaten record as United's caretaker also includes a win against Unai Emery's Villarreal and a draw with Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea. He extended that impressive run with a win against City last weekend, and now he aims to keep it going in North London.
Rivals Watch:
Keep an eye on these upcoming matches as they could impact the league table:
Saturday, January 24:
- West Ham United v Sunderland (12:30 GMT)
- Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur
- Fulham v Brighton & Hove Albion
- Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Bournemouth v Liverpool (17:30 GMT)
Sunday, January 25:
- Brentford v Nottingham Forest (14:00 GMT)
- Crystal Palace v Chelsea (14:00 GMT)
- Newcastle United v Aston Villa (14:00 GMT)
- Arsenal v UNITED (16:30 GMT)
Monday, January 26:
- Everton v Leeds United (20:00 GMT)
All kick-offs are at 15:00 GMT unless specified otherwise.
So, who do you think will come out on top in this highly anticipated clash? Will United continue their winning streak, or will Arsenal maintain their dominance at home? Let us know your predictions and join the discussion in the comments below!
