Manchester United are stepping up preparations to take on Arsenal in the Premier League.
After a sensational win at home to Manchester City, Manchester United face an even tougher test this weekend.
United travel to league leaders Arsenal, looking for a first Premier League away victory at The Emirates since 2017.
The Red Devils have won twice in the FA Cup away at the Gunners since, including last season.
Two players who featured in that cup clash are looking unlikely to make it this weekend.
What should be Manchester United’s front three against Arsenal?
Only three can start…. who are you picking?
Amad
Benjamin Sesko
Bryan Mbeumo
Joshua Zirkzee
Matheus Cunha
Mason Mount
Shea Lacey
Amad and Bryan Mbeumo celebrate
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Joshua Zirkzee during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee miss training
Two players who missed the Manchester Derby are also at risk of failing to make the squad this weekend.
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Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee were both absent from training on Wednesday 21, Sky Sports reported.
De Ligt has missed the last nine consecutive Premier League games, while he deals with a back problem.
Zirkzee has a minor injury which saw him miss the Derby, after featuring as a substitute in the FA Cup defeat to Brighton.
Head coach Michael Carrick said last weekend that he hoped to welcome De Ligt back soon, but it does look to be unlikely to be this weekend – at this stage.
De Ligt was outstanding in the Premier League clash with Arsenal at the start of the Premier League season, and he has been a big miss for United in recent weeks.
There are no fresh injury problems to report ahead of the trip to The Emirates, beyond the pre-existing issues for Zirkzee and De Ligt.
Is Manchester United’s XI stronger in 2026 or 2021?
This was the line-up Michael Carrick used to defeat Arsenal in his spell as interim manager
United/Arsenal 2021 graphic
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Martinez and Maguire likely to continue
Even if Matthijs de Ligt was suddenly available, we would not expect him to go straight into the Manchester United starting line-up.
Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez were both terrific at the weekend against City and deserve to keep their places.
There is already strong competition from Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro, who will be pushing in training to show that they deserve to start.
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