Manchester United will be aiming to boost their fading top-four hopes at Arsenal on Saturday.
The countdown to Erik ten Hag’s arrival is now on, with the Ajax boss having been confirmed as United’s new manager on Thursday. Before then, there are still five games left for United to get through and a top-four spot to fight for.
Their hopes of landing that coveted final Champions League spot appear to be fading fast, with the midweek thrashing at Liverpool doing severe damage after last weekend’s win against Norwich had restored some hope. United now find themselves three points off both Tottenham and Arsenal, having played a game more.
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They will have the chance to make up some ground on the Gunners this weekend as they make the trip to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The visitors know another defeat will almost certainly end their hopes of claiming fourth.
With that in mind, Ralf Rangnick has some big decisions to make. He has been boosted by the returns of some key players ahead of the weekend.
Raphael Varane is back in contention following his recent injury. After the Anfield debacle, Rangnick should revert to a back four, with Varane reclaiming his place in the centre.
He’ll likely line up alongside Harry Maguire, although whether another poor display against Liverpool will see him taken out of the limelight remains to be seen. While Rangnick doesn’t appear overly convinced on Alex Telles, the Diogo Dalot / Aaron Wan-Bissaka experiment did not work at Anfield, so the Brazilian could return at left-back, with Wan-Bissaka on the right.
With Scott McTominay returning, he may well take Paul Pogba’s place in midfield, with the Frenchman looking as though he may have played his final game for United. Two games in a week might be a big ask for Nemanja Matic but United are running low on options.
Cristiano Ronaldo will likely return up front after missing Tuesday’s defeat, and United might need a bit more magic from him. Having made an impact off the bench in midweek, Jadon Sancho should be handed a start, leaving Rangnick to decide between Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga on the opposite side. Neither stood out at Anfield, but if Sancho is to start on the left, Elanga is your best bet on the right.
Manchester United predicted team vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Varane, Telles; Matic, McTominay; Elanga, Fernandes, Sancho; Ronaldo.
