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The three tactics Man Utd MUST use to beat Arsenal in crunch clash
MANCHESTER UNITED take on Arsenal at the Emirates today, but which three tactics must Ole Gunnar Solskjaer use to claim three points?
Manchester United are looking to extend their winning streak away from home to 10 games when they face Arsenal at the Emirates this afternoon.
Solskjaer put on a tactical masterclass in north London three weeks ago as United came out 3-1 winners in the FA Cup fourth round.
The Norwegian deployed Jesse Lingard in a false nine role and split strike partners Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku, who caused havoc down the wings.
But what will the 46-year-old do in hope of outwitting Unai Emery this afternoon? Express Sport suggests three tactics for Solskjaer to use in the big clash.
Rashford on the wing
Rashford bagged the winner from the spot for United in their dramatic 3-1 win over PSG in midweek which booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals, and the England international has been electric for Solskjaer since he took over in mid-December.
The 21-year-old has often been used as a striker, but putting him on the left today could reap serious rewards. The youngster’s pace and dribbling is too much for Shkodran Mustafi - who’s started at right-back the last two games - to handle.
Unai Emery has set up with a back four in recent games against Tottenham and Rennes, and getting Rashford in between the full-back and centre-back could create many openings behind Arsenal’s ageing defence.
McTominay to thwart
Scott McTominay has stepped in amply at the base of midfield to replace Nemanaja Matic, who suffered an injury setback in training two weeks ago but could return today.
It is unlikely, however, that Solskjaer would field both Matic and Ander Herrera, who’s also been convalescing, and should therefore keep defensive-minded McTominay in the side to thwart whichever creative midfielder Emery decides to play centrally.
Aaron Ramsey will most likely play in the No 10 role, and he caused Tottenham many problems last weekend. If McTominay is able to carry out simple midfield duties while sticking near to Ramsey, that could eliminate much of the Gunners’ threat.
Counter attack
Over the years, United have been renowned for their explosive counter attacks, most prominent during the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
In the side’s four biggest scalps away from home under Solskjaer - against Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and PSG - United have averaged 34 per cent possession and not had over 40 per cent of the ball in any of those games.
Arsenal have been typically susceptible to United’s counter attacks down the years, and their defence, whose average age was 30.5 in their midweek loss to Rennes, is not exactly blessed with pace.