Racing Post

Gunners can target a victory as Red Devils start to rebuild

MANCHESTER UTD v ARSENAL 8.15pm Thursday, live on Amazon Prime

Manchester United’s decision to appoint Ralf Rangnick has been widely praised but it could take time for the Red Devils to evolve and they are still worth opposing at home to Arsenal on Thursday.

Comprehensive defeats to Watford, Manchester City, Liverpool and Leicester since mid-October suggest United’s problems run deeper than former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and also emphasise their struggles against the division’s bigger clubs.

The midfield pivot of Fred and Scott McTominay has consistently come under scrutiny while the lacklustre performances of England international Harry Maguire at the heart of defence remain a serious cause for concern.

And although Arsenal, who are not in a European competition this season, are arguably no longer considered among the division’s elite teams, they nonetheless remain in contention for a top-five berth and maybe more.

Their most recent success – a 2-0 home win over Newcastle United – was a polished performance and was the north London club’s fifth win in six matches and, although they imploded in a 4-0 defeat to a superior Liverpool team at Anfield earlier in the month, other results against higher-level teams have not been bad.

The Gunners have got the better of Leicester and Tottenham this term and can add United to that list of scalps this week.

United may be at home but their record at Old Trafford this season leaves plenty to be desired with the Manchester side having failed to win four of their six home league contests.

They have also scored only ten goals in those matches and, beyond Cristiano Ronaldo, they are short of a consistent goalscorer this term.

Few sides will fear travelling to Old Trafford and Arsenal’s youthful side, featuring Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli among others, should be confident of recording maximum points.

Aaron Ramsdale is in the form of his life while Arteta seems to have settled on his back four, marshalled by an improving Ben White, and Arsenal can make themselves tough to beat in Manchester.

Back them with the insurance of a draw no bet selection, whereby stakes are returned if the game finishes as a stalemate.

STAT Arsenal have lost only one of their last 12 games. Arsenal draw no bet sssss[LF]

8.15pm Wednesday, Amazon Prime

THIS WEEK | THE BIG MATCHES

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2021-11-30T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-11-30T08:00:00.0000000Z

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