Ahead of Sunday’s titanic FA Cup 3rd round clash at the Emirates, we have the Arsenal vs Manchester United preview, prediction, latest team news and predicted lineups.
Arsenal Vs Manchester United Preview
Arsenal are the most successful side in FA Cup history and will be hoping to land their 15th triumph come the end of the season.
The first hurdle comes in the way of the second most successful side in the competition. Mikel Arteta’s men will need a vastly improved performance to progress to the 4th round than what they demonstrated on Tuesday night.
At the Emirates, the Gunners suffered a Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg knockout blow via the in-form Newcastle United and Alexander Isak.
The super Swede netted alongside Anthony Gordon to help the Magpies clinch a fine 2-0 victory. As it stands, the FA Cup may be Arteta’s only genuine chance of silverware this year.
Already, their Premier League chances are faltering owing to too many draws. In Europe, the UEFA Champions League appears to be beyond them and it’ll take a herculean effort to progress to the League Cup final.
⚪️ 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝘿𝘼𝙔 ⚪️
🆚 Manchester United
🕒 3pm (UK)
🏆 FA Cup
🏟 Emirates Stadium pic.twitter.com/92nA63E40i— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 12, 2025
Manchester United stunned rivals City in the Wembley final last season to ensure they moved one place behind the Gunners in the overall FA Cup winners table.
Goals from Alejandro Garacho and Kobbie Mainoo secured victory for Erik ten Hag. Since then, the Dutchman has been replaced by Ruben Amorim.
United’s domestic form has been disastrous in 2024/25. Even Amorim is struggling to stop the rot but a fine performance last time out offers hope.
A 2-2 draw at Anfield demonstrated that United can still mix it with the very best. They almost clinched all three points but Harry Maguire spurned a glorious late chance.
Ahead of Sunday’s clash, the best football betting sites in the UK price Arsenal as the 3/4 favourites. The Red Devils can be backed at 41/10 with the draw 26/9.
Arsenal Vs Manchester United Team News
With Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu, all crocked, Arsenal are somewhat hampered down the right hand side. Raheem Sterling is an option as too is Gabriel Jesus.
Leandro Trossard is set for a place on the bench as Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli make up the top three. Elsewhere, on loan goalkeeper Neto is pushing for his debut.
Riccardo Calafiori is primed to start at left-back over Myles Lewis-Skelly. Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino will start in midfield.
Meanwhile, Manchester United will start Altay Bayindir in goal over Andre Onana. The latter has struggled again in recent weeks.
The Marcus Rashford saga is set to continue for a while longer. No new club has been identified yet and it’s unlikely he’ll feature in north London.
He missed last weekend’s draw with Liverpool owing to illness. Furthermore, Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw will all miss out.
Our defence of the #FACup begins here 🏆📍#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 12, 2025
Arsenal Vs Manchester United Predicted Lineups
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli
Manchester United (3-4-2-1): Bayindir; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot; Diallo, Fernandes; Hojlund
Arsenal Vs Manchester United Prediction
Naturally, Sunday’s showdown at the Emirates has been billed as the tie of the 3rd round. Especially as both sides are the most successful in the competition’s history.
Subsequently, a thrilling encounter should ensue which we think Arsenal will come out on top of. Manchester United will be buoyed after last week’s showing but the Gunners home support should spur them on to victory.
That despite thousands leaving in their droves in the Carabao Cup clash with Newcastle. However, clashes against the Red Devils are extremely fierce and Mikel Arteta’s side will come out on top. Just.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-2 Manchester United
