Manchester United travel to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon to take on their fierce rivals Arsenal in the Premier League
Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt is set to miss the trip to Arsenal this weekend
Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt is set to miss the trip to Arsenal this weekend(Image: Warren Little/Getty Images)
View Image
Manchester United travel to Arsenal this weekend, still glowing from the victory over Manchester City in the Premier League last weekend. Michael Carrick's return to the Old Trafford dugout could not have gone better as the Reds brushed aside City comfortably to keep in touch with the top four.
Another tough challenge awaits United this weekend though, as the Reds make the trip down to London to face Mikel Arteta's team. The Gunners have not lost since the beginning of December and are full of confidence following their 3-1 victory over Inter in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Should United wish to pick up the three points on Sunday, they will have to do so without Matthijs de Ligt in the team. The Dutchman has not featured for the Reds since the 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace at the end of November. Initial thoughts were that the back injury was not going to be serious.
FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FACEBOOK PAGE!Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page
In his first press conference, Carrick said: "He has been carrying a bit of an issue, but hopefully, we'll get him back in some time soon. It's been a little bit slower than what they thought previously." In training on Wednesday, De Ligt was not spotted with his teammates.
Joshua Zirkzee was also missing in training on Wednesday, having not made the squad for the City game last weekend either. The Dutchman is understood to have a small injury, which ensured he watched the derby from the stands last weekend. Zirkzee was captured telling a fan he would be out for two weeks.
Like United, Arsenal's injury and absence issues appear to be easing. Cristhian Mosquera made a long-awaited return to the pitch for the Gunners in midweek against Inter in the Champions League. However, Max Dowman is expected to remain out for the game.
Dowman is expected to make his return next month after suffering a problem to his foot. Piero Hincapie's groin injury, picked up against Liverpool earlier this month, should also keep him out of the clash with United.
There is uncertainty as to when the centre-back will be in contention again, but there is a hope it will be before February. Finally, Arsenal are also set to be without Riccardo Calafiori.
Arteta confirmed last week that the Italian would be out for a few weeks, but the exact timescale was unclear. A return before the United game does seem unlikely though.