Predicted XI: Zirkzee, Rashford & Amad to keep their places against Arsenal? Maguire to start in place of suspended Martinez? Mount to start?

Manchester United travel to North London to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Wednesday evening. United manager Ruben Amorim has overseen three matches so far with United drawing 1-1 with Ipswich Town, beating Bodø/Glimt 3-2 and Everton 4-0 – turning the fortunes of the Old Trafford club.

United have risen to ninth place in the Premier League table just four points from the top four (goal difference factored in) and six points behind second-placed Arsenal. United could get back in the mix should they beat in-form Arsenal on Wednesday evening. The match will be broadcast life on Amazon Prime in the UK.

United have eight more matches to play before the end of 2024 – six of which are in the Premier League. United will also play in the UEFA Europa League and the Carabao Cup. United could be back in the mix if they continue to win their matches in the Premier League, which is what Amorim would like to see.

Predicted Manchester United Starting XI – 3-4-2-1

Onana;

Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire;

Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot;

Mount, Rashford;

Zirkzee

Goalkeeper: Onana

Andre Onana kept his sixth clean sheet in the Premier League in the 4-0 victory over Everton on Sunday which shows the level of confidence he now has under Ruben Amorim. The Cameroonian goalkeeper is a class act and will be a key player for United against the bigger teams, especially with injured players coming back.

Onana has a tough start to life at United, conceding over 100 goals so far, which is not the best way to start life at United but the defence had some major injuries over the last season and a half – which Ade things worse for the Cameroonian at the Old Trafford club. Things are set to change though as United are getting stronger.

The Cameroonian has some challengers at United with Altay Bayinder and Tom Heaton seeking to get chances to start for the club. However, Onana is in form at this stage of the season and it would be silly to change anything, Perhaps in the Carabao Cup things could change with the Cameroonian getting a rare rest?

Defenders: Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire

United’s defence has got so much better this season. Erik ten Hag brought in some decent players, not that it helped him. Ruben Amorim will benefit though. Noussair Mazraoui will continue in the defence after becoming the first name on the team sheet for his work rate and much more that he offered. The 27-year-old is impressive.

Matthijs de Ligt will start in the centre of the back three as his ability on and off the ball is outstanding. Since he’s found his feet at United, he really is unreplaceable in the back three. The Dutchman has so much to give and now that there will soon be competition in places, United will start improving massively. That will be good to see.

As Lisandro Martinez is suspended for the trip to Arsenal, Harry Maguire should take his place as he’s the only other central defender that will be fit as Jonny Evans is not fully fit and Victor Lindelof will miss this match. Leny Yoro will also one in the squad but I don’t think he is ready to be starting against a team like Arsenal.

Midfield: Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot

The United midfield four has done brilliantly since Amorim came to the club. Amad Diallo needs to keep his place on the right as it is clear what he brings to the club. To see his level of confidence shine is brilliant and it is something that Ten Hag did not utilise to his advantage. Amad is a definite to start if he is fit and ready to shine.

Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes should be starting in the centre of the midfield. Casemiro could do the defensive work with Fernandes linking the midfield with the attack to get things rolling into the place. There are so many players who could play in these positions which is a great strength for United this season and beyond.

Diogo Dalot should be starting on the left in the wing back role as I don’t see Tyrell Malacia or Luke Shaw being fit enough to start such a high energy match like this one. The Portuguese fullback seems to be wanted by Real Madrid, so he is doing something right. I am sure he will stay grounded for the time being and shine for United.

Attack: Mount, Zirkzee, Rashford

United’s attack will likely be different with two of the players behind the striker in a 3-4-2-1 formation, which seems to work well for United as they have plenty of attacking players ay the club this season. With Fernandes possibly playing in the midfield four, Mason Mount could play a more advanced role supporting the attack.

Marcus Rashford, who scored a brace against Everton should keep his place as his form is improving massively at the right time. Keeping him in this form is key for United getting the better of their opposition this season. If Rashford can find the form that got hims 30 goals the season before last, Amorim will be doing well.

United could have a problem for the striker role as both Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have scored two goals each in their last start for the club. Zirkzee has been impressive and a little bit of time seems to have done him well. I would start with Zirkzee and if it is too much for him against Arsenal, Hojlund could be brought on to thrive.

Substitutes: Bayindir; Yoro, Shaw, Malacia; Eriksen, Ugarte; Hojlund, Garnacho, Antony

United will name a maximum of nine players on the bench against Arsenal in the Premier League. Altay Bayindir is likely to be the substitute goalkeeper once again, which is where he is likely to spend the remainder of the season. In defence, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia should be available.

The midfield will be lacking a little with just Christian Eriksen and Manuel Ugarte available due to the suspension of Kobbie Mainoo. But both players have something to offer for the club. Amorim could bring a youth player in if he is not happy with what he has, but another player will need to be removed from the squad.

The attack is a bit stronger though with Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony all available. United should have the firepower to at least match Arsenal, who are just six points ahead of them at this stage of the season yet some say United are terrible this season – it is all not as bad as some say it is.

Written by Paul