Solskjaer Seeks Redemption As Manchester United Host Arsenal At Old Trafford

Manchester United and Arsenal return to Premier League action on Monday in the aftermath of both sides winning in the EFL Cup during the week as the Red Devils manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be hoping to redeem the fortune of the team at Old Trafford

While the old rivalry cannot be accurately described as the top-of-the-table tussle it once was, United in particular know that only a win will do if they are to stay in touch with the chasing pack.

This is the first of three fixtures in a frenetic week for these squads, including a return to Europa League action on Thursday and Premier League matches on Sunday.

These are bleak times in the league for United, who have one win in five matches and produced a limp 2-0 defeat at West Ham United in their last outing.

While United were putting in a stultifying showing at the London Stadium, Arsenal almost fell to a much more surprising defeat across the capital.

Only two goals in the final nine minutes of normal time rescued the Gunners after newly-promoted Aston Villa twice took the lead at the Emirates Stadium.

Head To Head

From Ryan Giggs whipping his top off following a dazzling extra-time winner in the FA Cup semi-final in 1999 to Martin Keown taunting Ruud van Nistelrooy during the goalless Battle of Old Trafford in 2003, this is a pairing that instantly brings to mind memorable matches.

There was the 2001-02 season, when Premier League winners Arsenal beat United three times over the course of the season with an 8-2 aggregate scoreline, and the contrasting humiliation of August 2011, when United won 8-2 in a single disastrous 90 minutes for Arsenal at Old Trafford.

United have not lost to Arsenal at home since September 2006, when Emmanuel Adebayor’s 86th-minute winner gave the visitors their last victory there.

The Red Devils have the overall lead in the head-to-head. There have been 48 draws and 83 Arsenal wins, but United can register their 100th victory over Arsenal should they win here.

Possible Line Ups

Manchester United:De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Young; McTominay, Matic, Pogba; James, Mata, Greenwood

Arsenal: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac; Willock, Guendouzi, Ceballos; Saka, Pepe, Aubameyang