Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim applauds from the touchline.
Ruben Amorim could tweak his starting XI against Arsenal.
Sitting 14th in the table with 11 games left to play, Manchester United's Premier League campaign is on the cusp of fizzling out sooner rather than later.
They head into this weekend 16 points above the relegation zone and 14 points shy of the top four, meaning a mid-table finish is likely to be the best they can hope for come May. Their Premier League campaign has been a write-off for some time, highlighted by their tally of 12 defeats by the beginning of March.
Despite the history and the drama that often comes with a clash between United and Arsenal, Sunday's meeting at Old Trafford, in the grand scheme of United's season, has to play second fiddle to Thursday night's clash with Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
The first leg of United's last-16 tie with the Spanish side at the Reale Arena on Thursday night finished 1-1, meaning the tie is finely poised ahead of the return leg in M16. Mikel Oyarzabal's penalty cancelled out Joshua Zirkzee's opener.
Having exited the FA Cup last weekend, United's hopes of salvaging something from this season rest on winning the Europa League. The competition offers them the chance to win a first European trophy in eight years and secure Champions League qualification for next season.
Although Ruben Amorim, ahead of the draw in San Sebastian, said winning the Europa League will not "save" United's season, it will make them a far more attractive option for prospective signings this summer. It is why the competition now has to be the leading priority.
Of course, United are not yet at a juncture where they should simply sack off their Premier League campaign, not least because of the fact they still have games in double digits left, but the Europa League has to be their main focus.
With the Sociedad clash having to take priority over the next week, Amorim has to consider making changes on Sunday. Of course, it is no secret that United's squad is currently decimated by injuries, leaving them without several senior figures, but there are a crop of youngsters waiting in the wings to try and make their mark.
Chido Obi is currently the most talked about youngster emerging from United's academy. He will be in contention to make his fourth appearance for the club on Sunday after being unavailable in midweek against Sociedad after he was left out of United's Europa League squad.
The 17-year-old, who joined United from Arsenal last year, made a positive impression via the bench against Fulham last Sunday and will be itching to secure his full debut sooner rather than later. Rasmus Hojlund is United's only other striking option and he is on a run of 19 games without scoring.
Ayden Heaven also traded Arsenal for United recently and he will be determined to capitalise on the current injury situation at centre-back. Harry Maguire missed the trip to Sociedad and is not guaranteed to be available against the Gunners, meaning United could once again be without him, Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans.
Heaven joined the Reds in the January transfer window and was described as a first-team signing despite only ever playing once for Arsenal. He has added another left-footed option to the club's centre-back pool and he looked calm and composed after stepping off the bench against Fulham for his debut.
Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro are highly likely to start, leaving one spot up for grabs at centre-back, with Noussair Mazraoui highly likely to slide across to right wing-back as a knock-on effect of Patrick Dorgu being suspended and Diogo Dalot moving back to left wing-back.
Toby Collyer is both older and more experienced than Heaven and Obi, making ten appearances for United so far, but he is another player who should be knocking on Amorim's door for a start. He returned from a recent muscle injury in midweek, stepping off the bench, and he is an alternative to Casemiro in the engine room amid Manuel Ugarte's current absence.
Collyer will provide United with renewed energy in midfield after Casemiro was more comfortable with the slower pace of the game against in Sociedad. Collyer was on an upward trajectory prior to his injury and his cameos had been eye-catching.
Along with Heaven and Obi, he is a youngster who will have aspirations of becoming a key fixture in Amorim's long-term plans. United need to evolve their squad this summer and younger legs will be needed.
With the Europa League having to take priority, there is no better time for Amorim to run the rule over United's stars of tomorrow against the Gunners. What is the worst that can happen?