Manchester United vs Arsenal. Premier League.
Old TraffordAttendance73,123.
Cristiano Ronaldo benched against Chelsea; Michael Carrick takes charge as Ralf Rangnick awaits work permit; Arsenal wait on Bukayo Saka; follow Man Utd vs Arsenal with our match blog; watch free match highlights on Sky Sports digital platforms and YouTube channel after full-time.
Wednesday 1 December 2021 13:55, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Man Utd vs Arsenal in the Premier League on Thursday; kick-off 8.15pm.
Cristiano Ronaldo will hope to return to the Manchester United line-up after being dropped to the bench for Sunday's draw at Chelsea.
Michael Carrick, who will lead the team again as new interim boss Ralf Rangnick waits for his work permit to be finalised, played down the call during his pre-match press conference, saying: "These types of decisions get blown up a lot bigger than they probably are. Decisions are made for a lot of different reasons and certain ones get bigger news than others, but that is how it was.
"I didn't see it as being a major decision. It certainly wasn't within the camp. We all got on really well with it. The game went well, to a certain extent, and it wasn't a drama at all."
Harry Maguire returns from a one-match ban, while Luke Shaw will be monitored after missing the games against Villarreal and Chelsea following a head injury.
Raphael Varane, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani are not yet ready to return.
Arsenal hope to have Bukayo Saka available after he picked up an injury against Newcastle last weekend.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said: "I am hopeful but we don't know. Bukayo is really willing. He's been preparing for the last two days because he wants to play. Let's see how he is."
Granit Xhaka and Sead Kolasinac are still not fit and will not be involved at Old Trafford.
Follow Man Utd vs Arsenal in our dedicated live match blog. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel after full-time.
On the latest Essential Football Podcast Alice Piper is joined by Sky Sports football writers Gerard Brand and Ben Grounds to look back on another big weekend at both ends of the Premier League table after Chelsea's lead slipped following a 1-1 draw with Man Utd at Stamford Bridge.
Was Michael Carrick right to opt against starting Cristiano Ronaldo - and should United have signed him at all? United's interim-to-the-interim manager's tactics are assessed ahead of Ralph Rangnick's arrival, questions raised over Chelsea's attacking prowess, while will Arsenal fancy facing this United side next given their own form?
