The Independent
·4 December 2024
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsThe Independent
·4 December 2024
✕
‘You can see his fingerprints’ – Mikel Arteta praises Ruben Amorim's early impact on Manchester United
Arsenal host Manchester United at the Emirates tonight in another blockbuster Premier League clash as the busy winter period begins.
The Gunners find themselves up to second in the table though they are nine points adrift of league leaders Liverpool. Mikel Arteta’s side have weathered a run of four league games without a win back-to-back victories over Nottingham Forest and West Ham. They have rediscovered their form in front of goal scoring 13 goals in three games across all competitions and will be tough to beat at home.
Ruben Amorim is tasked with doing just that. His Man Utd side are unbeaten since the Portuguese manager took charge with wins over Bodo/Glimt and Everton following a draw against Ipswich in Amorim’s first game in charge. The manager is still striving for improvements from his players but understands that a win over Arsenal will be a big boost to United’s chances of reaching to top four.
Follow all the action from the Emirates Stadium with our live blog below:
This game is Arsenal’s 500th match in all competitions at the Emirates Stadium. Should they triumph the Gunners would win three successive league matches for the first time this season.
Mike Jones4 December 2024 19:15
Ruben Amorim warned “the storm will come” eventually as Manchester United’s head coach tried to temper expectations ahead of the trip to Arsenal.
The 39-year-old has been a breath of fresh air since succeeding Erik ten Hag, with his personality and approach, coupled with promising early performances, bringing hope back to Old Trafford.
Amorim has been touched by his warm welcome but repeatedly urged fans to avoid jumping the gun, having followed a draw at Ipswich with home wins against Bodo/Glimt and Everton.
A draw at Ipswich in Amorim’s first game was followed by home wins against Bodo/Glimt and Everton.
Mike Jones4 December 2024 19:10
Mikel Arteta makes four changes to the Arsenal team that lined up against West Ham. In defence Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori drop out with Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko coming in. Jorginho and Leandro Trossard are alos excluded with Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey favoured.
Ruben Amorim makes six changes to his Man Utd line-up with the big news being Harry Maguire starts for the first time under the new boss. He takes up the left centre-back role which Lisandro Martinez vacates. Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Joshua Zirkzee and Casemiro are the other casualties.
In their place come Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia, Manuel Ugarte, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.
Mike Jones4 December 2024 19:07
Arsenal XI: Raya: Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Rice, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Havertz
Man Utd XI: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire; Dalot, Mount, Ugarte, Malacia; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Mike Jones4 December 2024 19:01
Mikel Arteta has won six of his nine Premier League games against Manchester United. Of all managers to face them at least five times in the competition, he has the highest win rate (67%).
Mike Jones4 December 2024 18:55
Manchester United’s four most recent competitive wins in this fixture were under different managers: Jose Mourinho (April 2018), Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (January 2019), Michael Carrick (December 2021) and Erik ten Hag (September 2022).
Will Ruben Amorim be the fifth?
Mike Jones4 December 2024 18:50
Luke Shaw is likely to miss the rest of 2024 after being “devastated” to suffer yet another injury.
The England left-back, who has not started a game for Manchester United since February, has been ruled out for a few weeks after suffering a new muscular problem.
It is Shaw’s third absence since he last began a match for United after missing the final three months of last season with a hamstring problem and then the first three months of the current campaign with a calf injury. He then made three substitute appearances under new head coach Ruben Amorim before breaking down again.
The England left-back is set to be out for ‘a few weeks’ with a muscular problem
Mike Jones4 December 2024 18:45
Mikel Arteta was full of praise for Bukayo Saka who continues to improve and impress for Arsenal. The Gunners boss said: “Yeah, in terms of the numbers, yes [we’ve noticed a shift].
“But we always see a shift in Bukayo. Every single year, he’s providing something else, he’s adding things to his game, he’s more and more consistent.
“And as you mentioned now, his numbers in terms of impact in goals and assists is incredible at this stage of decision. He can only improve, he can only get better.
“He has the right players around him as well to continue to do so, and especially because he wants more.”
Mike Jones4 December 2024 18:35