Three plotlines for fans to get their teeth into before Manchester United travel to face Arsenal

Manchester United travel to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal in Ruben Amorim’s first real test against one of England’s elite sides.

The fixture is one of the most historical in English football as the two sides have played one another an enormous 240 times.

United have won 101 of these fixtures with Arsenal coming out on top in 89. There have been 50 draws between the two sides.

Amorim’s team will be looking for a vital win despite the odds to take them within three points of the Gunners and really kick start their season.

Here are three storylines to digest before the massive matchup later this evening.

United’s recent wretched run at the Emirates

The Red Devils have been very poor against Arsenal for a long time, especially when travelling to London.

They have lost seven of their past nine Premier League away games against the Gunners.

Last season saw an unfortunate 3-1 loss when they thought they had gone 2-1 up late in the game but Alejandro Garnacho’s strike was chalked off and Arsenal replied with two late sucker punches.

In fact, United’s last win at the Emirates came in the FA Cup in January 2019 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer oversaw a 3-1 win.

The last Premier League victory stretches back to December 2017, seven years ago, when Jose Mourinho’s team won 3-1 after two goals from Jesse Lingard.

Amorim will hope to inspire his side to a rare win in North London this evening.

United do have a fine record playing midweek in Premier League

While United’s run of form against tonight’s opponent may be rotten, they have done a lot better in general in midweek league games.

Usually when United are in action on a weekday, it is because of European or domestic cup action.

However, sometimes the schedule dictates that they play a league game at this time and they have been in top form during these contests.

According to the BBC, “United have won six of their past seven midweek league matches, which have produced 38 goals in total.”

Marcus Rashford will want to shine against the Gunners again

The Englishman is currently loving life under Amorim, scoring three Premier League goals in two matches.

His double strike at the weekend meant he has scored seven goals this season, one less than he managed in the entire campaign last year.

The Englishman has netted on his two last visits to the Emirates stadium, in January and September 2023.

Rashford also has six goals in total against the Gunners and will be champing at the bit to add to his tally tonight.

In fact, Rashford announced himself on the Premier League stage with a double on his league debut versus the Gunners in a 3-2 win under Louis van Gaal in 2016.

He then went 12 games without a goal versus tonight’s opponent before netting four in his last three matches against them.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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