Manchester United vs Arsenal live early team news, plus how to watch and Bruno Fernandes updates

Ahead of this afternoon’s clash between United and Arsenal at Old Trafford, our United writers have had their say on how they think the Reds should line up:

Samuel Luckhurst

Casemiro cannot start in defense and Christian Eriksen cannot start. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is as comfortable on the left wing as a member of the UK Reform and United need new blood.

Scott McTominay is an attacking midfielder these days, but he has to. He is more experienced and skilled in center half than Casemiro. Bruno Fernandes needs to get back into the team and it’s time for Amad to make a meaningful start.

Tyrone Marshall

There are a few players returning for United this weekend, but crucially none of them are defenders and that is the biggest problem area on the pitch. You don’t want to risk Casemiro against Arsenal, but there’s no other option either. To single out Jackson at this stage of his career would be unfair, Amrabat could play in the center of defense but would he be better than Casemiro? Probably not.

At least McTominay is back in midfield and can add some strength in that area. Mount is injured again but with Fernandes back in the side that’s less of a problem. Rashford is also back in training and, if fit enough, should come in for Antony, who was brought on again early at the weekend. Garnacho and Hojlund round out the top three.

George Smith

After the disastrous nature of Casemiro’s performance at centre-back against Palace on Monday night, it’s hard to make a case for him resuming at the heart of the back four. However, the Ten Hag are short of options in that area of ​​the team, meaning they may have no choice but to send him back out alongside Jonny Evans.

If Fernandes is deemed fit enough to start in midfield, he must. He was sorely missed at Selhurst Park and United need the talisman back. There is also a case for McTominay to start amid Christian Eriksen’s recent struggles. Mainoo is a guaranteed starter in the final midfield spot.

In attack, Ten Hag doesn’t collapse over in-form players, making the challenge of picking a profitable front three harder than he’d like. Antony was poor at Palace and could be replaced by Rashford if the latter was fit enough to start. Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund will complete a likely front three.