United face Arsenal at Old Trafford hoping to notch a North London double after the Spurs success...
Form guide
The current fortunes of United and the Gunners could not be more contrasting. Both clubs fielded teams with an average age of 23 last weekend but while the new-look Reds brushed aside Tottenham with a second-half blitz, Arsene Wenger’s inexperienced side (now without Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri) slipped to a 0-2 home defeat to Liverpool. Those results made it two wins from two for United with Arsenal already five points adrift, but the under-fire Londoners did at least enjoy a midweek boost by winning at Udinese to reach the Champions League group stage.
Ins and outs
Nemanja Vidic (calf) is out for four weeks, Rafael (shoulder) two months while Antonio Valencia (ankle) is not yet ready for a return. Given the form of the young centre-halves against Spurs (Jonny Evans and Phil Jones both impressing in the 3-0 win) the boss may give Rio Ferdinand longer to recover from his hamstring injury. Wenger’s men, meanwhile, have even more problems: Jack Wilshere (ankle) is ruled out, while Alex Song, Emmanuel Frimpong and Gervinho are all suspended.
Last meeting
One of Wenger’s few fit midfielders scored the only goal of the game the last time United and Arsenal met – back in April at the Emirates. Aaron Ramsey’s 56th-minute goal deflated the title-chasing Reds – at least on that day – but was not enough to hoist the Gunners back into the title race. They finished fourth, we made it 19.
Top man
Robin van Persie is not only the visitors’ main man but he’s now the captain, following the departure (eventually) of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona. The Dutchman bagged 18 goals in 19 starts in
the latter half of last season, a run that set a new record of scoring in nine consecutive away games, and opened his account for this season in Arsenal’s midweek Champions League qualifier.
Quote/unquote
“They may have been unsettled because Fabregas played there for many years, controlling the midfield, and Nasri was very important for them last year. I think the speculation will affect them a bit. But teams make a lot of changes, buy new players and you never know how players will be.” – Nani
Any sub-plots?
We’ve been told constantly for the past few seasons that Arsenal’s young side will come good and they’ve been roundly praised for their slick, one-touch, attacking football. Yet on the evidence of the season so far, it’s Sir Alex’s young charges that are the team with real promise and the ones truly worth watching. If that’s not enough to make Wenger wince, then watching the impressive Chris Smalling and Phil Jones against his side – both having opted for Old Trafford over the Emirates – surely will.
Whistle-blower
Sunday’s match will be refereed by Howard Webb, who took charge of this fixture last season, plus United’s home games against Chelsea and Liverpool (twice). Widely regarded as the country’s best ref.
Rivals watch
On Saturday, Chelsea welcome Norwich City to Stamford Bridge (3pm) and Liverpool host Bolton Wanderers in the evening kick-off
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