Manchester United’s defence of the FA Cup begins on Sunday afternoon with one of many hardest video games they might have requested for, an away journey to Arsenal.
The Emirates Stadium performs host to the 2 most profitable golf equipment in FA Cup historical past. United shall be trying to proper some wrongs in opposition to the Gunners, who not too long ago beat them within the Premier League.
United’s spectacular triumph within the 2023/24 version of the FA Cup was the optimistic be aware in a poor season. They beat native rivals Manchester Metropolis 2-0 at Wembley, because of targets from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Forward of the defence of their crown, United’s group information for the journey to North London was introduced within the days main as much as the sport.
United’s group information vs. Arsenal
The large concern for Ruben Amorim and United is the truth that star man Amad Diallo could miss the sport after choosing up a small knock. The attacker, who simply signed a brand new deal at Outdated Trafford, will not be assured to be match however Amorim defined he’s hopeful the Ivorian shall be out there.
There are a few confirmed absentees for United on the weekend. Two of these are defenders Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans, with Amorim confirming the centre-back pair will nonetheless not be slot in time.
England teammates Luke Shaw and Mason Mount are additionally set to overlook the conflict on the Emirates Stadium. The pair have each been out for a number of weeks, with Shaw’s final look coming in opposition to Everton on the first of December and Mount final featured away to Man Metropolis in the identical month.
As for Marcus Rashford, who missed final weekend’s draw away to Liverpool at Anfield via sickness, his future stays up within the air, with the Englishman not included for the journey to the Emirates.
With Rashford out of the squad but once more, it leaves Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee because the candidates to steer the road. The Dutchman could possibly be a very good choice.
Why Zirkzee may begin in opposition to Arsenal
Life at Outdated Trafford to this point has not been straightforward for Zirkzee. He has proven brilliance at occasions and has by no means stopped working arduous however has not been handled significantly effectively by followers.
He was booed off in opposition to Newcastle United within the Premier League in what was a poor second from the supporters on the Outdated Trafford terraces.
With that being mentioned, he has put in some actually sturdy performances to this point in that well-known Purple shirt. He has 4 targets and two assists in 28 video games, together with his finest efficiency coming in opposition to Everton in a 4-0 win. That day, the 23-year-old managed to attain twice in a improbable show.
Zirkzee, who was a Champions League winner with Bayern Munich in 2020, received the Younger Participant of the Yr award in Serie A final season for Bologna.
His stats on Sofascore present simply how effectively he performed, with the attacker scoring and helping 15 occasions, creating 11 large possibilities and successful 4.1 duels per sport. There’s a motive soccer statistician Statman Dave described him as a “severe expertise”.
Zirkzee stats in 2023/24 Serie A | |
|---|---|
Stat | Quantity |
Targets and assists | 15 |
Anticipated targets | 9.01 |
Conversion charge | 13% |
Large possibilities created | 11 |
Key passes per sport | 1.3 |
Dribbles accomplished per sport | .51 |
Duels received per sport | 4.1 |
Stats from Sofascore | |
Curiously, Arsenal needed to signal the striker final summer season earlier than United snapped him up. In accordance with Sky Sports activities, they have been believed to be ‘conserving a detailed eye on developments’, however he ultimately ended up at Outdated Trafford.
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This afternoon, if he will get the beginning, Zirkzee may harm Arsenal. He’s an clever striker, who excels at dropping deep to hyperlink up play and create area for teammates.
He isn’t one to interact in a bodily battle with William Saliba and Gabriel, which performs into United’s palms as he can deliver teammates into the sport if he drags them out of place.
Though United followers have maybe but to see the very best of Zirkzee constantly, he has proven precisely what he can do at occasions. A visit to the Emirates Stadium in defence of their FA Cup trophy is a wonderful place to place in one other efficiency like he did in opposition to Everton, and harm the membership who needed to signal him final summer season.
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£350k-p/w Man Utd ace nearer than ever to leaving with Rashford this month
One membership at the moment are considered pushing arduous for his signature.
