Man U vs. Arsenal
Venue: Old Tradfford
Kick off: 4:30PM
Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United welcome the visit of Arsenal in the Premier League as Arsene Wenger makes his final appearance as Gunners boss at Old Trafford.
Arsenal will likely be focused on the second-leg Europa League semi-final clash with Atletico Madrid, but Wenger will also be yearning for a victory as he prepares to say goodbye to a ground that has hosted many a famous battle involving the Frenchman.
Much of the emotional sentiment surrounding Wenger’s last Arsenal visit to Old Trafford will be linked to his battles with Sir Alex Ferguson, but it is worth noting that the Frenchman has also had notable run-ins with Mourinho.
The pair’s rivalry hit a peak in 2014 when then-Chelsea manager Mourinho labelled Wenger a “specialist in failure”, a comment that preceded an infamous tussle on the touchline in the winter of the same year.
The pair have met 18 times prior to this fixture; Mourinho found himself unbeaten in the first 13 meetings, but the Portuguese coach has since lost two of the last five when facing Wenger. Mourinho has never suffered defeat as a home manager against the Frenchman, though.
Old Trafford is likely to show Wenger respect when he visits for the last time as a Gunners boss, but that will not stop Mourinho from wanting to strengthen United’s grip on second place. Mourinho will be wanting to build on the club’s record of winning their last four league fixtures against sides in the top six.
Alongside Wenger’s departure comes another narrative in which Alexis Sanchez will be facing his former club, having left the Gunners in January. The Chilean has been far from his best during the early stages of his United career, although his showing against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup semi-final perhaps hinted at better things to come from the 29-year-old.
United are now 10 league games unbeaten at Old Trafford against the Gunners, having won seven and drawn three of those meetings.
Manchester United possible XI: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Young, Matic, Herrera, Pogba, Sanchez, Lingard, Lukaku.
Arsenal possible XI: Cech, Chambers, Mustafi, Holding, Kolasinac, Willock, Xhaka, Welbeck, Iwobi, Nelson, Aubameyang.