Chris Sutton has offered Manchester United fans a glimmer of hope as he predicts how Rúben Amorim’s Premier League fixture against Arsenal will pan out on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United are back in Premier League action on Sunday afternoon as they welcome Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal to Old Trafford.
Rúben Amorim’s side were last in action in midweek, earning a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad in San Sebastián. Joshua Zirkzee put United in front, but a contentious penalty decision allowed the hosts to level the score.
United and Arsenal have already faced off twice this season. The Gunners secured a 2-0 victory at the Emirates in December, but United responded in January, winning on penalties in the FA Cup after a 1-1 draw.
With the title challengers visiting Old Trafford for the first time under Amorim, the Portuguese head coach will be aiming to build on his side’s recent form and extend his positive record against Arteta’s team.
Sutton issues United vs Arsenal prediction
As always, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has previewed the weekend’s fixtures for BBC Sport and issued his predictions for every tie, and has offered an interesting glimmer of hope for United fans.
“I was in Eindhoven on Tuesday to cover Arsenal in the Champions League for 5 Live, and it’s a lovely place,” Sutton started.
“Eindhoven is the design capital of the Netherlands, known for being a city of innovation and creativity – two of the things Manchester United are sorely lacking at the moment.
“Arsenal have struggled to score in the Premier League but the goals were flowing freely for them against PSV and this feels like it is going to be another rearguard action for Manchester United, similar to the way they got past the Gunners in the FA Cup.
“United do seem to, somehow, raise their game against the better teams and that is the only way they are going to make this close. I still think Arsenal will win it, though.
“Tuesday was the first time I have seen Ethan Nwaneri play in the flesh and I was really impressed with his performance for Mikel Arteta’s team. Declan Rice was immense in midfield and Martin Odegaard was excellent too. There has been some criticism of his form recently but he really delivered in that game.
“So, although United might try to make things hard for them, I definitely think Arsenal will find a way through. They won’t score seven again, but this game has got all the hallmarks of ending up 1-0 to the Arsenal.”
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Although Sutton feels that Arsenal will come away with their second 1-0 win in a row at Old Trafford, it’s interesting that he handed a nod to Amorim’s men for their ability to step up during bigger games, despite their poor form of late.
While Arsenal will no doubt be favourites, the fact United have shown previously that they are willing to and capable of putting up a fight against the better sides hands fans a glimmer of hope that there is a chance Amorim’s side can get a result on Sunday afternoon.
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