Carrick set to keep faith with derby-winning defense and in-form winger for crucial trip to league leaders.
Manchester United travel to face Premier League leaders Arsenal this afternoon, aiming to build on the momentum from last weekend’s seismic victory over Manchester City. With the top-four race wide open, interim manager Michael Carrick faces pivotal decisions for a match he acknowledges is a “huge challenge” against an Arsenal side unbeaten at home all season.
Carrick is expected to keep faith with the central defensive partnership that expertly nullified Erling Haaland. Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez are set to start together again, their experience viewed as vital to withstanding Arsenal’s potent set-piece threat. “Both are experienced enough to deal with that sort of bombardment,” noted a club insider, with youngster Ayden Heaven likely to wait for his chance against his former club.
In midfield, the soon-to-depart Casemiro remains indispensable and is slated to start as the holding anchor. Alongside him, Kobbie Mainoo’s impressive return against City should earn him another start, allowing Bruno Fernandes to operate in his preferred advanced role.
The major attacking dilemma revolves around the striker position. Despite Benjamin Šeško’s recent goalscoring form, Bryan Mbeumo’s electrifying pace and goal in the derby make him the favorite to lead the line. Carrick has spoken of rotating his forwards, but Mbeumo’s threat on the counter-attack could be United’s best weapon against the league leaders.
Manchester United Predicted XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martínez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo.
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