Manchester United took a step closer to the Europa League final on Thursday night will a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo in the away fixture. This is a big boost for Mourinho’s men as the Europa League route to Champions League football next football is becoming the likely outcome for the Reds. United have dropped four points in their last two games in the Premier League, including a disappointing home draw against Swansea last time out.
Mourinho will be looking for a reaction this weekend and it would be a great game for United to bounce back on. They travel to the Emirates to face their bitter rivals in Arsenal. Some might say this fixture has lost its edge in comparison to games of the past with the likes of Roy Keane and Patrick Viera involved. However, the fans still get excited when this game rolls around each season.
With their hopes of a top four finish pretty much depleted, Wengers’ team will see this game as a chance to show the rest of the Premier League what they are made of. Of course, if they pick up three points they will somewhat rejoin the race for fourth place – but will be relying on a fair amount of results to go their way if they are going to break into the Champions League place.
With Liverpool and Man City both playing before Man Utd this weekend, the pressure will be on United to their either stick with the teams above them or to exploit any slip ups that may happen – something they have failed to do time and time again this season. They are running out of time to break into the top four but three points at the weekend could be a big step towards doing so.
Marcus Rashford had his shooting boots on again in the Europa League on Thursday night, striking a sweet free kick to give United the advantage in the tie. The young forward is doing a huge job filling the void left by Zlatan Ibrahimovic – he could be the difference between Man Utd playing Champions League football next season or not. He is 6/1 to pick up the first goal, and 7/4 just to get on the scoresheet this weekend.
Despite Ashley Young and Marcus Rashford picking up knocks on Thursday night, the United injury list is slowly taking a turn for the better. Paul Pogba and Chris Smalling were both involved against Celta Vigo and Juan Mata was again amongst the substitutes.
Man Utd are the outsiders in Sunday’s fixture, priced at 3/1 to pick up all three points at the Emirates. The hosts, Arsenal, can be backed at 9/10 and the draw is priced at 5/2. In the reverse fixture earlier this season, Arsenal snatched a point away from Old Trafford through a late Oliver Giroud equaliser.
(Prices From Bet on Brazil – odds may fluctuate)
