How a Man Utd and Arsenal combined XI would look as Gunners gain ground in race for Champions League finish

MANCHESTER UNITED’S dismal derby defeat combined with Arsenal’s win at Watford saw the Gunners take the upper hand in the race for Champions League football.

And the Red Devils’ poor season so far results in a combined XI dominated by Arsenal players.

Ralf Rangnick’s side squandered the chance to leapfrog Arsenal in the Premier League table after a toothless display at the Etihad, while the Gunners won 3-2 at Watford.

The weekend’s results mean the Red Devils are a point behind Mikel Arteta and Co as things stand.

Arsenal though have games in the bank where they can extend their lead, having played THREE times less than United.

But with plenty of fireworks still to come before the end of the season, SunSport have conjured up a combined United and Arsenal XI.

Aaron Ramsdale has impressed in his debut season at the Emirates, but David De Gea gets the nod in between the sticks.

Without the Spaniard in goal a poor United season would unquestionably be far worse.

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De Gea is enjoying an excellent individual season[/caption]

But Manchester United’s shaky defending in front of De Gea this season means the back four is inevitably Arsenal dominated.

Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu line up as full-backs, with Gabriel Magalhaes partnering Raphael Varane in the heart of defence.

Varane has had his injury problems this season but has looked solid when selected, which is why he gets the nod ahead of United skipper Harry Maguire.

In fact, United’s stuttering season means the entire team is dominated by Mikel Arteta’s team.

None of United’s holding midfielders have sparkled this campaign meaning Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard partner each other in midfield.

While Odegaard would normally occupy the No10 role, he has operated deeper on occasion this term, and does so in this side.

Bruno Fernandes’ playmaking ability sees him selected for that No10 role, despite an underwhelming run of form lately.

There’s no debate as to who starts on the right though, with Bukayo Saka having another season to remember.

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Saka scored and provided an assist in Arsenal’s win over Watford[/caption]

Eight goals and five assists in 25 Premier League games see the 20-year-old winger starting on the right flank in SunSport’s combined XI.

And he’s joined on the pitch by fellow young gun Emile Smith Rowe.

The 21-year-old starlet has bagged 10 goals in 25 appearances this campaign and his form resulted in a maiden senior England call-up in November.

It was a straight shootout between Cristiano Ronaldo and Alexandre Lacazette for the striker spot, but CR7’s 15 goals in all competitions this season see him preferred to the Frenchman.

While Ronaldo’s fairytale return to Old Trafford hasn’t exactly gone to plan, his killer instinct in front of goal does justify his place in the combined XI.

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Ronaldo has still scored 15 goals in a below par season so far[/caption]

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