Arsenal host Manchester United on Sunday in the pick of the FA Cup third-round ties for 2024/25.
The Red Devils will have had a full week to prepare for this fixture since their 2-2 Premier League draw with Liverpool — a match in which they produced a significantly improved performance compared with their wretched run of results in December.
The Gunners were in action on Tuesday this week, losing 2-0 at home to Newcastle United in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal. That defeat followed a 1-1 league draw at Brighton & Hove Albion, with both matches prompting further scrutiny of a forward line that is often accused of lacking a cutting edge.
Manager Mikel Arteta could be tempted to change things up against United, both to boost his side’s effectiveness in attack and to give certain players a rest.
Counterpart Ruben Amorim will likely avoid making too many alterations as he looks to build some momentum at last — and keep United’s hopes of silverware alive in a competition they won last season.
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Arsenal vs. Man United lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Arsenal will still be without Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Ben White, while Takehiro Tomiyasu has an outside chance of being included in the matchday squad after returning to basic training.
Arteta may be tempted to make one or two changes from the Carabao Cup loss to Newcastle this week. Gabriel Jesus could come in for Kai Havertz, while fit-again Raheem Sterling could get the chance to stake a claim for a regular starting spot in place of Leandro Trossard.
Riccardo Calafiori could also come in for youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly,
Arsenal predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori — Odegaard, Partey, Rice — Sterling, Jesus, Martinelli
Injured: Saka (hamstring), White (knee), Nwaneri (muscle), Tomiyasu (knee, doubt)
Suspended: None
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Amorim has made a habit of rotating his starting lineup at United, but given the improved performance at Anfield, he could well limit the changes for this weekend. That said, he confirmed on Friday that back-up goalkeeper Altay Bayindir would start for the first time since his erratic performance in the Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham last month.
Mason Mount and Luke Shaw are still recovering from injury, while Victor Lindelof is also expected to be out. Marcus Rashford missed the Liverpool game with illness, but with talks ongoing over a possible move away from the club this month, he is highly unlikely to be involved anyway.
Leny Yoro could be given a chance from the start at the back, likely in place of Matthijs de Ligt.
Amorim this week introduced four United youngsters to first-team training sessions, and any of Jack Moorhouse, Tyler Fredricson, Godwill Kukonki and Elyh Harrison could make the matchday squad.
Man United predicted lineup (3-4-2-1, right to left): Bayindir (GK) — Yoro, Maguire, Martinez — Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot — Amad Diallo, Fernandes, Hojlund
Injured: Mount (muscle), Shaw (undisc.), Lindelof (knock, doubt), Rashford (illness, doubt)
Suspended: None
Arsenal vs. Man United live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this FA Cup match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | — | ESPN+ |
| Canada | Sportsnet | Sportsnet Now |
| UK | BBC One | BBC iPlayer |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| India | Sony Ten 2 | Sony LIV |
