A big test looms for Rubén Amorim just four games into his career at Manchester United. The Red Devils face a resurgent Arsenal in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
The two big English clubs also met in the third round of the FA Cup, so Amorim will surely become familiar with Mikel Arteta’s team in year one.
Amorim, who helped knock Arteta’s Gunners out of the Europa League two seasons ago, has enjoyed an unbeaten start to his reign in Manchester but this fixture represents a notable step up from the likes of Ipswich, Bodo/Glimt and Everton.
The Pink Devils have already taken a couple of hard hits in terms of availability for Wednesday’s game. This is the team that Amorim could choose at the Emirates to face Arsenal.
Goalkeeper: André Onana – Onana has enjoyed an excellent second season between the sticks, and it may well take a heroic performance from United’s number one for the visitors to get a positive result on Wednesday.
CB: Noussair Mazraoui – There were some doubts about the role Mazraoui would play under Amorim, but he settled into the new coach’s back three without problems.
Central: Matthijs de Ligt – De Ligt has become accustomed to playing in a back three for the national team and occasionally for Juventus. The central role should suit his defensive profile, although Arsenal can use him as a pressure trigger when United have the ball.
CB: Harry Maguire – The suspension of Lisandro Martínez and another injury setback for Luke Shaw place Maguire in the left-sided defensive role.
RSF: Amad Diallo – The biggest reveal of Amorim’s arrival so far. Amad has dazzled in his full-back role and was particularly brilliant in Sunday’s win over Everton. He is a man Arsenal must keep an eye on.
CM: Casemiro- The Brazilian may not be back to his 2022/23 form yet, but he has certainly improved in recent weeks after a horrible second season. The experienced midfielder is re-emerging as a key player.
CM: Manuel Ugarte – Kobbie Mainoo’s suspension is a blow for the visitors, who now lack a driver in midfield. However, Amorim trusts Ugarte since their time together in Lisbon and he should get the nod in north London.
LWB: Diogo Dalot – Shaw could be a contender for the left-back spot if Maguire breaks into the bottom three, but Dalot will continue in the position if Amorim determines to replace Martinez with Shaw.
AM: Bruno Fernandez – United’s creative talisman is a doubt for Wednesday’s game after suffering a knock to his ankle on Sunday, but it would be a huge surprise if he were not fit to start at the Emirates.
AM: Marcus Rashford – Goals, goals, goals! Rashford has enjoyed a timely return to the scoresheet ahead of a match in which he usually gets results. He has scored on both of his previous visits to the Emirates.
ST: Joshua Zirkzee – Zirkzee may have made it into Wednesday’s XI after scoring a brace in Sunday’s win over the Toffees. The Dutch striker’s willingness to go deep could prove useful in allowing Rashford to penetrate behind the Arsenal defence.
