It's his toughest test yet.
Ruben Amorim takes Manchester United to the Emirates tonight high confidence after back-to-back home wins. But now they're back on the road again, 10 days after Amorim's first game at Ipswich Town.
The Red Devils romped to a 4-0 win over Everton on Sunday after last Thursday's 3-2 victory against Bodo/Glimt - but their form is no match for Arsenal. The Gunners have rediscovered their mojo after the international break, winning all of their games, scoring 13 goals and conceding three.
Mikel Arteta knows that they can't afford any more slip-ups as they chase leaders Liverpool for the Premier League title and will want to remind skeptics of serious their title charge is. United, meanwhile, are out to make a statement.
We asked the Mirror Football team how they see the game going and to give their predictions.
Man Utd predicted XI as Luke Shaw issue forces Ruben Amorim reshuffle at Arsenal
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Mikel Arteta makes big Bukayo Saka claim after Ballon d'Or talk prediction](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/mikel-arteta-bukayo-saka-arsenal-34242495)
Andy Dunn
Ruben Amorim has already produced one minor miracle in his short time as Manchester United manager - he has got a tune out of Marcus Rashford, a player who has barely looked interested in the past 12 months.
Amorim also has one of THE in-form Premier League players at his disposal in the shape of Amad. United will cause Arsenal problems at the Etihad, there is no doubt that.
But the players are still adapting to Amorim’s system - particularly the defensive aspect of that system - and that will give Mikel Arteta’s side plenty of chances. And with the likes of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka in prime form, they will take enough of those chances to win the game.
This is a United team that looks like it is already enjoying life under Amorim and they will make it an entertaining contest but a narrow defeat will be part of the new manager’s learning curve.
Arsenal 3-2 Man Utd
Simon Mullock
This might turn into a reality check for Ruben Amorim. Arsenal are back on track after being derailed by injuries and inconsistent form during the autumn - and Bukayo Saka is the top of his game.
With all due respect to Ipswich, Boro/Glimt and Everton, facing Arsenal at the Emirates when the Gunners are really firing is one of the toughest games in the Premier League. The Londoners can’t afford any slip-ups with Liverpool threatening to turn the title race into a procession - and if they can control United’s counter-attacking threat then they should prevail.
Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd
Bukayo Saka is in fine form (
Image:
David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Will Manchester United cause an upset against Arsenal? Give us your score prediction in the comments section.
Jeremy Cross
Manchester United might look a little rejuvenated since Ruben Amorim took charge, but this will be the first acid test for the Portuguese. Arsenal remain in the title race and will be determined to hand their old rivals a setback.
Mikel Arteta's men have dropped just six points at home this season and are still to be beaten at the Emirates. United will be second best for large spells and have to take the chances that come along. Arsenal should run out comfortable winners.
Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd
Mark Jones
Ruben Amorim has admitted himself that the players he's been left by Erik ten Hag aren't physically up to the challenge of playing to his style just yet, but he's going to persevere with it anyway.
That suggests there could be some short-pain before the long-term gain for United, and a trip to the Emirates wouldn't be high on the new manager's wishlist right now. Throw in the suspensions for Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo - plus Luke Shaw's injury - and things could get ugly for a defence and midfield that will be lacking intensity.
Meanwhile Arsenal look to be back in the groove, they've got the bit between their teeth again and the role of title race underdogs attempting to chase Liverpool down could suit them for a period. I can only see this going one way.
Arsenal 4 Man Utd 0
Ruben Amorim is without a number of key players ( Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Alex Richards
If Arsenal want to win the Premier League title this season, then there can be no slip up at the Emirates tonight. Liverpool have set a blistering early pace and the Gunners need to keep up - while chipping away at that eight point lead.
Arteta’s side were excellent for 40 minutes at West Ham, having destroyed Amorim’s old side last week in the Champions League.
Certainly they’ll hope to have Gabriel fit and ready to go because he’s massive for them at both ends, but with Saka in red hot form and Odegaard getting back to his best after injury, they should be too strong for a United side who are still learning a new system and who - as both Bodo/Glimt and Ipswich showed, Everton not so much - continue to give up good chances to opponents.
Arsenal 3-0 Man Utd
Felix Keith
Manchester United thrashed Everton on Sunday, but Ruben Amorim knows they're not there yet and I think his 3-4-3 formation could play into Arsenal's strengths.
Bukayo Saka is on fire right now and with Lisandro Martinez suspended, Amorim will likely field Luke Shaw on the left of his back three. Martin Odegaard will drift into space and look to feed Saka at every opportunity, and if Diogo Dalot is up the pitch, an overload could be created down that side. Shaw is very short of match fitness and will have a very tough evening against his England team-mate.
Arsenal have 13 goals in their last three games and their passing patterns could run rings around a United side who are still getting used to Amorim's ideas. Amad and Marcus Rashford are playing well and could combine for a goal at the other end, but I think it'll be a mere consolation.
Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd
Marcus Rashford was back in the goals against Everton, with Joshua Zirkzee joining them (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images) Don't Miss
Tom Victor
Ruben Amorim recognised there’s more work to do at Manchester United despite a 4-0 win against Everton, and that scoreline was inflated by some impressive finishing - aided by the kind of space in the box they’re unlikely to get on Wednesday.
Arsenal have looked themselves again after welcoming captain Martin Odegaard back from injury, and ought to have the measure of United in the middle of the park. They have already stopped the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Atalanta from scoring against them this term, and a United side still getting to grips with Amorim’s more adventurous approach may well struggle.
If Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel shake off their injury concerns, it’s hard to see United getting anything from the game. Arsenal might have needlessly dropped points earlier in the campaign, but all things being equal they should have more than enough this week.
Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd
Scott Trotter
Arsenal may be further away from Liverpool than Manchester United in terms of points but that should not hide the cavernous gap between the sides. Only six points separate the old rivals but the Emirates will offer Mikel Arteta’s team an opportunity to remind the Premier League of their talents.
Ruben Amorim has offered an immediate impact at Old Trafford and his team have been unafraid to find the net early. The gaps United leave in the centre of the field will have Martin Odegaard and co rubbing their hands together however.
Whether the Red Devils can maintain their application of Amorim's methods under the pressure Arsenal provide will be a big test early in the club's new era and uncertainty will see the north London side capitalise. Arsenal may have endured a slow start to the season but should not slip up here, even if they are not quite at full strength.
Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd
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