Roy Keane believes Manchester United must defeat Arsenal to have any hope of being in the Premier League title race.
United have enjoyed an unexpectedly brilliant first half of the campaign with their victory over neighbours Manchester City last weekend sparking talk of an unlikely title challenge. Those dreams took a hit on Wednesday, though, as Erik ten Hag's side's nine-game winning streak came to an end.
Bruno Fernandes had fired in the opener against Crystal Palace but United failed to kill off the game which allowed Michael Olise to score a stunning free-kick in the dying minutes to earn a draw. Now United are back in London for a match-up against table-toppers Arsenal.
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United can move within five points of the Gunners - though they will have a game in hand - with a victory but defeat will see the gap extend to 11. Keane has been pleased with the side's form since their early struggles but believes anything less than three points at the Emirates will signal the end of the club's chance for a first title triumph in a decade.
"It has to be," he told Sky Sports when asked if the game will impact the title race. "Obviously, they had a huge disappointment the other night dropping a couple of points in the last minute and obviously one or two suspensions as well which is a huge loss to United.
"But United have had such a difficult start to the season it's great to see their recovery. They are slightly behind Arsenal in terms of the level of performance and, of course, the points total but it is a great chance for United to come down today.
"We're talking about can they get in the mix of winning the title, you'd have thought you were mad saying that a few months ago but if they can come and win here today, it's a big ask, then they're very much in the mix. But anything less than a win and I think you can certainly forget about United for the title. But from Arsenal's point of view if they can win it what a position they are in."
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