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What Man Utd players did in training ahead of Arsenal Premier League showdown
Manchester United and Arsenal will meet in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon (4.30pm).
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Manchester United players have been training ahead of their Premier League clash with Arsenal on Sunday. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side go into the match having beaten RB Leipzig, PSG and Newcastle in recent weeks. And Express Sport will now take a look at what we noticed from training pictures posted on Friday ahead of the match at Old Trafford.
Juan Mata keen to hide
United star Juan Mata was seen hiding his face upon walking onto the Carrington training pitch.
The Spaniard took mask-wearing to new extremes - much to the amusement of Bruno Fernandes and Fred.
The pair were both seen walking out with Mata as they look to fight for a place in Solskjaer's side on Sunday.
Fred has become a regular in the middle of the park, starting every match for the club since the 6-1 defeat to Tottenham at the start of October.
Fernandes, meanwhile, was benched for the win against Leipzig but should get the nod for the match against Mikel Arteta’s side.
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Rondos
United always use rondos to practice keeping and distributing the ball.
And they were spotted in training on Friday ahead of the Arsenal showdown, with Tim Fosu-Mensah laughing off being in the middle.
Anthony Martial also didn’t seem fazed by having to work on his defensive duties, with the France international having a big smile on his face.
And everybody else seemed in good spirits too.
Martial won’t be involved against Arsenal, with the France international set to miss out through suspension after being dismissed against Tottenham at the start of the month.
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Stretching and running
United players were also seen working on their fitness ahead of the match against Arsenal.
Members of the squad again were in good spirits, with big smiles on the faces of the likes of Facundo Pellistri, Mata and Martial.
United have put fitness at the forefront of their rebuilding job under Solskjaer so far.
And they’ll have to be 100 per cent ready for the match against Arsenal if they’re to pick up all three points.
The Gunners haven’t won in the league at Old Trafford since 2006, back when Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger were still managing.
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Solskjaer praises Arteta
Speaking ahead of the match, Solskjaer praised Arteta for the job he’s done at Arsenal since replacing Unai Emery.
“Any manager would need some time to put his principles and plays, he’s already won a trophy with them and you can see what he’s doing,” said the 47-year-old at his pre-match press conference.
“You can see he’s got his own ideas and that he’s also worked under a top manager before, definitely.
“When you’re at the start of your career as a manager and you can start winning already it’s a great foundation to build from.
“They’ve really found a manager who wants the best for the club.”
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