Man Utd and Arsenal combined XI ahead of huge Premier League clash… but how many Gunners make the team?
MANCHESTER UNITED face Arsenal on Sunday to reignite their old rivalry in the hunt for a top-four finish.
The two sides are both building young teams that they hope will one day challenge for the Premier League title.
And this weekend’s meeting, kicking off at 4.30pm, will provide a useful progress report for both clubs’ ambitions.
Here, SunSport has formulated a combined Manchester United and Arsenal XI to determine who has the edge in the clash.
GK: David De Gea
The first, and arguably most difficult pick, of this combined XI sees De Gea edge Bernd Leno in between the posts.
Although United’s defence has been far from perfect this season, the Spaniard’s longevity at this level remains impressive.
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RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Another tricky decision, the England defender comes in ahead of Hector Bellerin at right-back.
Wan-Bissaka impressed versus Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig, having topped the stats as one of Europe’s best tacklers.
CB: Gabriel Magalhaes
Is Gabriel a step above the sort of centre-back Arsenal have become used to in recent years? Ask Shkodran Mustafi.
The Gunners have conceded just five goals in the seven games he has played since signing from Lille – with one coming despite a sound piece of advice for his team-mate.
CB: Harry Maguire
Most would balk at the idea of Maguire making any top XI a few weeks ago, but his bounceback from a poor run of form has emphasised his class.
An awesome performance against Newcastle has been extended into a strong spell by the centre-back, pushing him ahead of David Luiz and Victor Lindelof in this selection.
LB: Kieran Tierney
Alex Telles is yet to prove himself in English football, and will miss Sunday’s game with coronavirus.
One player who has landed in the Premier League and excelled, despite injury issues, is Arsenal’s Tierney. His team-mates will be hoping he doesn’t shoot this weekend though.
ARSENAL NEWS LIVE: Click here for the latest Gunners news
CM: Thomas Partey
Central midfield is not the strongest area for either side, with the likes of Granit Xhaka and Scott McTominay steady but unspectacular.
In terms of raw talent, Partey is one of the most exciting Arsenal signings for years and this trip to Old Trafford could be a definitive early marker in his time with the club.
CM: Paul Pogba
Pogba’s absence from the United line-up was ended with Wednesday’s win over Leipzig, which saw the Frenchman bag a smart assist.
On his day, the midfielder is world-class and it is up to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to tease it out of Pogba on a regular basis.
RW: Willian
The right flank is another toss-up between these two clubs.
Mason Greenwood and Nicolas Pepe can both make a claim to being the superior winger but Willian is the all-round star with bags of experience Mikel Arteta was desperate to sign in the summer.
CAM: Bruno Fernandes
A Mesut Ozil at the top of his game would make good competition for Fernandes, but as it is the central attacking midfield role is a sure thing.
With 16 goals and 12 assists in his opening 30 games for United, the Portugal international continues to establish himself as a major star on these shores.
LW: Marcus Rashford
Arteta’s unpopular decision to move Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the left flank has been put to one side in this selection.
One striker who has succeeded in heading out wide is Rashford, who backed up his off-field stardom in the week with a hat-trick past Leipzig, albeit from a central role.
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ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Anthony Martial and Alexandre Lacazette are steady goal-getters but neither have the ability of Aubameyang.
The Arsenal captain is in a poor spot of form just now but can turn that around with his fourth goal against the Red Devils on Sunday.