How to watch and follow United v Arsenal

The Gunners are realistically locked in a two-way tussle with Manchester City for the top-flight crown, but need to keep winning and hope Pep Guardiola’s side drop points in one of their remaining fixtures, if they are to lift the trophy for the first time since 2004.

United, meanwhile, will be smarting from Monday’s heavy defeat at Crystal Palace, which left us in eighth position, behind Newcastle United and Chelsea, in the race for the final European league places.

Here’s our in-depth preview ahead of the penultimate Old Trafford outing of 2023/24…

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?

The match is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, with kick-off set for 16:30 BST.

Supporters can keep abreast of the latest team news and interviews through our usual Matchday Live show, which, this Sunday, will begin at the earlier time of 14:00 BST to accommodate live radio commentary of the Women’s Adobe FA Cup final between United and Chelsea.

Radio commentary, live updates and polls will be available in the United App after kick-off in M16, and stay tuned across our platforms after full-time for player and manager interviews.

Highlights will be available two hours after the game has ended.

TEAM NEWS

Erik ten Hag will provide a more in-depth update on his squad during Friday’s press conference, but Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire were the latest players to be added to our lengthy injury list, as they missed the trip to Selhurst Park.

Jonny Evans did return at Palace, following a five-game absence and, as it stands, the Northern Irishman is United’s only fit senior centre-back, with Willy Kambwala, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane all missing in recent weeks.

Marcus Rashford, who scored twice on his Premier League debut against the Gunners, is still waiting to make his 400th United appearance, having been absent since our Emirates FA Cup semi-final victory over Coventry.

Anthony Martial is making progress in his bid to return from surgery, while Scott McTominay was due back in training over the weekend, according to Ten Hag’s pre-Palace update.

Arsenal could have long-term absentee Jurrien Timber back in the squad. The Netherlands international tore his cruciate ligament in August, but has been given valuable minutes for the Under-21s in recent weeks.

OPPOSITION WATCH

The Gunners, who were pipped at the post by City last season after leading the Premier League for much of the campaign, have been in stellar form since the turn of the year.

After back-to-back defeats against West Ham United and Fulham to close out 2023, Mikel Arteta’s men have been revitalised, winning 14 of their last 16 top-flight outings, scoring 51 goals and conceding just eight.

The Gunners’ only defeat of the year, at home to Aston Villa in April, could prove costly, as it placed the destiny of the title in City’s hands, but the response since has been convincing, as the north Londoners have beaten Wolves, Chelsea, Tottenham and Bournemouth.

RECENT MEETINGS

The formbook might be against United, but we have a decent home record against the Gunners in recent years, having lost to Arsenal just once at Old Trafford in the league since 2006.

That defeat, courtesy of a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang penalty, came in a behind-closed-doors game in November 2020, but the Reds have got the better of the capital club on each of their last two visits, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s double proving pivotal two seasons ago and Rashford helping himself to a brace last September, in a 3-1 success.

Rashford has been involved in six goals in his last four top-flight starts against Arsenal, including in this season’s reverse fixture, which was settled in injury-time by strikes from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus.

WHO ELSE IS PLAYING?

SATURDAY 11 MAY

Fulham v Manchester City (12:30 BST)
Bournemouth v Brentford
Everton v Sheffield United
Newcastle v Brighton
Tottenham v Burnley
West Ham v Luton
Wolves v Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest v Chelsea (17:30 BST)

SUNDAY 12 MAY

UNITED v Arsenal (16:30 BST)

MONDAY 13 MAY

Aston Villa v Liverpool (20:00 BST)

All kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.