Manchester United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford in the Premier League this Sunday afternoon.
The Red Devils have played against the Gunners in 242 matches with United coming out on top 102 times. Arsenal have also been very successful, winning on 92 occasions while there have been 50 draws in total.
Here are three plotlines to whet the appetite for one of the biggest games on the English football calendar.
United’s horrible recent league record vs Arsenal
The Red Devils have had their worst ever Premier League season and look likely to end up in their poorest position, as breaking into the top half this season looks impossible. Their recent insipid form in the league against Arsenal is nothing new, however.
The BBC report that “Manchester United have lost their past four Premier League games against Arsenal – their longest losing run against the Gunners in their league history.”
Were Mikel Arteta’s men to win, it would be the first time Arsenal have won consecutive away games at Manchester United since February 1979.
Nonetheless, United did come out on top on penalties in the third round of the FA Cup at the Emirates in January.
United aiming for season first
The Red Devils have only amassed nine league wins all season and a total of 33 points as they lie in 14th place in the table.
Even though we are now in March and 27 games deep into the season, Ruben Amorim’s side are looking to win their second league game on the bounce for the first time this season.
The BBC state, “Manchester United are yet to win consecutive league games this season – it’s their longest wait for back-to-back league victories in a single campaign since 1968-69, when they won their 32nd and 33rd games.”
The Red Devils beat Ipswich Town last time out and a win against Arsenal would break the streak of inconsistency and set them up nicely for the crucial second leg of the Europa League tie against Real Sociedad on Thursday.
Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven could face former team
This time last year, both Obi and Heaven were important members of the Gunners’ youth team but now they find themselves in and around the Old Trafford first team squad.
United and Rasmus Hojlund’s poor form in front of goal has engendered the rapid rise of Obi and Amorim has already claimed there is a possibility that he will get a chance to impress from the start against his former side.
The Dane gave a wonderful cameo in the FA Cup last weekend where he was very close to scoring a heroic winner in the final stages of the match. Heaven also came on for extra-time against the Cottagers, making his debut since joining in January.
Mikel Arteta has expressed his disappointment at losing both players in his pre-match comments.
Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
