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Manchester Evening News
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Nathan Bliss & Lewis Barton

We simulated Arsenal vs Manchester United to get a score prediction for Premier League clash

Manchester United face Arsenal on Saturday in what could be a crucial clash for both teams in their hunt for a top-four spot.

A dismal performance from United saw them thrashed 4-0 by Liverpool in their last outing, a result made even worse when top-four rivals Arsenal beat Chelsea 4-2 to open up a three-point gap between the two sides. United currently sit in sixth, three points off the top four, making this weekend's game a must-win.

With Arsenal having played one game less than United, a win for the Gunners would extend the gap between United and the top four to six points, and that could become nine if Arsenal win their game in hand. But, ahead of the game, Ralf Rangnick has been handed some positive injury news.

ALSO READ: We simulated Man United's summer transfer window with ten players leaving and six players signed

Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo have both returned to training this week, meaning the duo are in contention to play on Saturday. Paul Pogba may not feature again this season after coming off injured against Liverpool, leaving Fred, Edinson Cavani, Luke Shaw and the Frenchman as the only missing players.

So, what line-ups will both teams select? And, what could the final score be? To find out, we used FIFA 22 to get a score prediction for Arsenal vs United on Tuesday. This is what happened.

Arsenal vs Man United score predicted by simulation

We used kick-off mode in FIFA 22, but didn't select a team to control, we then selected the teams and watched the match play out by itself to give us a score prediction.

We predict that Arsenal could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tavares; Elneny, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Nketiah, Smith Rowe.

And we predicted that United could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Telles; McTominay, Matic; Elanga, Fernandes, Sancho; Ronaldo.

Predicted to return to the starting XI after an injury lay-off, Scott McTominay was back in midfield for United in the simulation. Unfortunately, the Scotsman made an early error, allowing Arsenal to pounce and take the lead.

Eddie Nketiah made it 1-0 to Arsenal (EA SPORTS FIFA)

A loose pass from McTominay in midfield allowed Mohamed Elneny to intercept and the Egyptian played a ball over the top for Emile Smith Rowe to latch on to. Smith Rowe approached the box and picked out Nketiah unmarked in the box, with the striker tapping past David de Gea into the far corner of the net for the lead.

The goal was the only time Arsenal really threatened in the first half, with United controlling the game after going behind. Jadon Sancho and Ronaldo came close around the half-hour mark, but Aaron Ramsdale was alert to deny United.

The pressure was mounting from United, with Ronaldo looking dangerous in the box. On his return to the squad, the striker found United's equaliser five minutes before the break.

Cristiano Ronaldo equalised for United to make it 1-1 (EA SPORTS FIFA)

A switch in play saw Alex Telles free on the left, and the full-back's driven cross into the box found Ronaldo with his back to goal. The 37-year-old patiently ran across goal as he waited for an opening for a shot, and as Nuno Tavares lunged in, the striker fizzed his effort across goal and into the bottom corner.

The second half continued how the first half ended. United were in control and trying their best to find the lead, but some heroics in goal from Ramsdale denied them.

Aaron Ramsdale made 10 saves in the game (EA SPORTS FIFA)

The best chance for a winner fell to Marcus Rashford with a couple of minutes remaining. A corner was whipped towards the near post and the striker's goal-bound header was pushed away at full stretch by the goalkeeper with a fantastic save.

FIFA 22 predicted final score: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

Here are the full-time match stats:

FT stats from Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United on FIFA 22 (EA SPORTS FIFA)

FIFA 22 predicts that United could come from one goal behind to claim a point against Arsenal on Saturday. Despite controlling the game and creating lots of chances, Rangnick's side were denied a winner by Ramsdale, with the goalkeeper making 10 saves in the simulation.

What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments!

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