Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford

How to follow United v Arsenal

Tuesday 30 November 2021 07:00

There’s a full midweek round of Premier League fixtures as November turns to December, with Manchester United hosting Arsenal at Old Trafford on Thursday.

It’s the first game of a busy month to end 2021 and, with Ralf Rangnick having been announced as the Reds’ new interim manager on Monday, there’s plenty of reason for optimism and excitement ahead of Christmas.

It is still to be confirmed whether Rangnick will be in charge for Thursday’s game, or whether Michael Carrick will continue his caretaker spell, but here’s the key information as we prepare to renew our rivalry with the Gunners…

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE MATCH?

The game at Old Trafford kicks off at 20:15 GMT on Thursday and will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime in the UK. If you’re not already a subscriber, you can sign up to Amazon Prime now using this link.

MUTV's coverage will begin when Matchday Live goes on air at 19:10 GMT - the show will include pre-match build-up, live match radio commentary and post-match analysis. Alternatively, you can follow the game with live updates via ManUtd.com and our Official App.

United appoint Rangnick as interim manager

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One of European football's most respected coaches is excited to be arriving at the club.

TEAM NEWS

United will have Harry Maguire available again, after the captain served his one-match suspension during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea. Mason Greenwood has recovered from COVID-19 and was an unused substitute for that encounter, while Luke Shaw could be an option after suffering concussion twice in November. Edinson Cavani (tendon) hasn’t been available in recent weeks, while Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane are still sidelined.

The Gunners are anxiously awaiting a fitness update on Bukayo Saka, who was substituted shortly after scoring the opener in the weekend win over Newcastle United. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the England international would be assessed ahead of the trip to Manchester. Granit Xhaka (knee) is on the road to recovery and will begin full training in December, while full-back Sead Kolasinac is out until the new year with an ankle issue.

FORM GUIDE

The Reds ended a run of Premier League defeats on Sunday by battling to a 1-1 draw at league leaders Chelsea and rising to eighth place in the table. Jadon Sancho’s breakaway goal gave us the lead on 50 minutes, before Jorginho levelled from the penalty spot midway through the second half. That point means we now have five fewer than West Ham United, who occupy fourth place on goal difference, and Thursday’s visitors.

Arsenal have recovered well from a poor start to the season which saw them lose each of their opening three fixtures. Arteta’s side have taken 23 points from a possible 30 since, although their away form has been a little patchy, with wins at Burnley and Leicester juxtaposed with a heavy Anfield defeat, the opening-day loss at Brentford and a goalless draw with Brighton. Summer signings Aaron Ramsdale, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White and Nuno Tavares have been credited with solidifying the Gunners’ backline, with Arsenal keeping six clean sheets in 10 games since that tough August spell.

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Arsenal have had the upper hand in recent years, with United winless in each of the last five meetings across all competitions – the last being a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium in January. However, prior to last November’s 1-0 defeat, inflicted by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s penalty, we hadn’t lost to the Gunners at Old Trafford in the Premier League since September 2006 – a run of 13 matches.

KEY STATS

United have lost just two of our 14 Premier League matches on a Thursday, with those defeats coming at Middlesbrough in December 2002 (1-3) and at home to Liverpool in May last season (2-4).

Only Norwich City (2) have scored fewer away goals than Arsenal (3) in the Premier League this season, with the Gunners failing to score in four of their six games on the road.

With thanks to Opta.

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MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistants: Lee Betts, Richard West
Fourth official: Craig Pawson
VAR: Andre Marriner
Assistant VAR: Matthew Wilkes

MIDWEEK PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

TUESDAY 30 NOVEMBER

Newcastle v Norwich
Leeds v Crystal Palace (20:15 GMT)

WEDNESDAY 1 DECEMBER

Southampton v Leicester
Watford v Chelsea
West Ham v Brighton
Wolves v Burnley
Aston Villa v Manchester City (20:15 GMT)
Everton v Liverpool (20:15 GMT)

THURSDAY 2 DECEMBER

Tottenham v Brentford
United v Arsenal (20:15 GMT)

All kick-offs 19:30 GMT unless stated.

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