Finishing in the top four is obviously the main priority for Louis Van Gaal and Manchester United but winning silverware is also a necessity for this club and it would go some way to easing what has been a growing frustration between the manager and the supporters. Their last gasp, and slightly fortunate, win over Newcastle last week seen them hold on to fourth spot, two points above Liverpool and one back on their FA Cup quarter final opponents, Arsenal. Van Gaal has not impressed all of the United support with his style of play but he is very much a goal-orientated manager and will point to his vast experience as he looks to find a formula that brings success to Old Trafford.
Aside from a humbling 3-1 defeat at home to Monaco, it has been a pretty good calendar year for Arsenal. They have left themselves an uphill struggle to qualify for the quarter finals of the Champions League but they have moved ahead of a host of clubs in the battle for a top four spot and will contest this match for a place in the last four of the FA Cup. What will improve people’s opinions of Arsene Wenger and his players is if they are able to win against one of the ‘big’ games. As well as losing to Monaco, their two previous losses were away to Spurs and Southampton in the Premier League. Having already lost to United and Chelsea as well this season, Arsenal still have their critics.
For all the quality that United have brought to the club over the last couple of years, it was the much maligned Ashley Young who took advantage of Tim Krul’s error and earn his team a precious three points. That’s certainly one of the United’s fans biggest frustrations with the manager – despite having a plethora of talent in the attacking positions, they have looked blunt and predictable going forward. For a club who have attacking and entertaining football laced throughout their history, it is almost mandatory for any manager to adopt that approach.
Without doubt, Arsenal’s best performance this season came in their surprise 2-0 win away to Manchester City in January. It was a surprise because until then, they looked fragile and weak away from home over the last few seasons against the top clubs. Wenger will be hoping that a return to Manchester will provide a similar outcome. Arsenal were also very impressive for the first hour of their home match with United before losing the game 2-1.
There’s a huge amount of rivalry between these two sides and hopefully Monday’s match will be added to the many classic matches that the two have contested down the years. In terms of how I think it will go depends on United’s approach. Wayne Rooney was deployed as a lone striker last midweek and if they go like that again I can see this being a very tight affair. Arsenal will approach the game as they did against City where they looked to hit them on the break but this United side have been known to play cautiously at home and it could well lead to them cancelling each other out.
Draw 5/2 @ Skybet
