Rúben Amorim is predicted to select seven Manchester United Academy players as he picks his Premier League squad to face Arsenal on Sunday afternoon in Manchester.
Manchester United resume their Premier League campaign on Sunday afternoon as they welcome Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal to Old Trafford.
Rúben Amorim’s side were last in action during the week, drawing 1-1 with Real Sociedad in San Sebastián. Joshua Zirkzee put United ahead, but a controversial penalty decision allowed the hosts to equalise.
This will be the third meeting between United and Arsenal this season. The Gunners won 2-0 at the Emirates in December, but Amorim’s men responded in the FA Cup, winning on penalties after a 1-1 draw in January.
With Arsenal visiting Old Trafford for the first time under Amorim, the Portuguese head coach will be aiming to extend his strong record against Arteta and continue building momentum.
Amorim to include six Academy stars vs Arsenal
Many were surprised to see that Amorim had only chosen to select 18 players for his travelling squad against Real Sociedad, considering that he had the option to select up to 23 players for the away fixture in Spain.
This confusion was further fueled by the fact that many Academy players had been part of the first team training session the day before but were left behind.
However, two Academy players, Chido Obi and Sekou Kone, were not selected for the squad as they had not been registered for the second half of the Europa League campaign, but they are in domestic competition.
Amorim confirmed on Thursday evening that he does not expect any players to return for the Arsenal game but that no further players had been injured. However, Patrick Dorgu will be unavailable due to suspension.
With Kone and Obi both available for selection, it’s predicted that they will make a return to the matchday squad alongside four other Academy palyrs.
Harry Amass travelled to Spain and is expected to continue in the squad, with some fans calling for him to start in Dorgu’s absence, while centre-back Ayden Heaven, who played for the Academy before making his debut, will also likely be part of the squad that faces his former club.
Read More: Mikel Arteta addresses Chido Obi’s Manchester United transfer ahead of crunch Arsenal clash
Although Amorim did not take Jack Fletcher with him to Spain, he did mention the young star by name ahead of the tie, hinting that he also sees the midfielder as a potential option this season, too. Fletcher could be the fifth Academy player selected against Arsenal.
With no further goalkeepers available behind André Onana due to injury, it’s also expected that both Dermot Mee and Elyh Harrison will be part of the squad, too.
United predicted squad vs Arsenal
Goalkeepers: André Onana, Dermot Mee, Elyh Harrison.
Defenders: Harry Amass, Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven, Victor Lindelöf, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Jack Fletcher, Sekou Kone.
Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Højlund, Joshua Zirkzee, Chido Obi.
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