Manchester United travel to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon looking to continue Michael Carrick's positive start to his second spell as interim head coach
How Manchester United should line up against Arsenal
Man United are searching for back-to-back victories this weekend when they visit Arsenal(Image: Getty Images/Pick the Team)
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Manchester United return to Premier League action this afternoon when they travel to Arsenal for a 4:30pm kick off. The Reds produced a clinical performance against Manchester City last weekend to kickstart the second Michael Carrick tenure off on the right note and keep pace with the top-four.
United have the chance to solidify their position in the hunt for the top-four this weekend if they can beat the leaders who have not lost since the beginning of December. If they are to do that, they will need to do it without Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee.
De Ligt has been missing since the victory over Crystal Palace with a back issue which has persisted longer than was expected. Carrick said in his pre-match press conference he hoped the defender would return to training in the next couple of weeks.
Zirkzee has a small issue and should be back soon after missing the City win. Noussair Mazraoui was handed an extended break following the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final but has since returned to the squad.
This is how MEN Sport's United writers think Carrick should line up the Reds vs Arsenal...
Tyrone Marshall
Carrick has the same group of players to choose from this weekend and after the quality of the performance against City, it's hard to make a case for a change.
Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez formed a solid centre-back pairing against City and look ideal to try and combat Arsenal's set-piece threat. You certainly want Maguire in the team for just that reason. Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw are the full-backs again.
Casemiro might be on his way out of the club but he remains the best holding midfielder in the squad. Kobbie Mainoo is rightly back in favour under Carrick and Bruno Fernandes is at his best as a No. 10.
The front three is where difficult decisions may lie. Bryan Mbeumo has to start again and Amad is a major counter-attacking threat. Patrick Dorgu did nothing wrong so I would go with them again, but Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko will be pushing for involvement.
Tyrone Marshall's Manchester United team to take on Arsenal in the Premier League
Tyrone Marshall's Man United team to take on Arsenal in the Premier League(Image: )
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Jack Flintham
Echoing Tyrone's thoughts, it is very difficult not to pick the same side which beat City last weekend. However, against a fearsome defensive partnership, it could make sense to throw in a surprise for Arsenal this weekend.
Sesko was unlucky to miss out on the game last time out and his physicality could provide a headache for the Gunners. Mbeumo has to start but potentially on the right this time with Dorgu keeping his place on the left to provide further support for Shaw.
This means Amad would miss out along with Cunha which is a tough call to make. But, those are two brilliant options to bring on if United are looking for a goal or equally, looking to kill the game off.
Jack Flintham's Manchester United XI to take on Arsenal
Jack Flintham's Man United XI to take on Arsenal(Image: )
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