Man United could stop Arsenal from doing something they've not done since Sir Alex Ferguson era

Man United host Arsenal in their penultimate home game of the season today and here are five things to look out for.

Manchester United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon for a match that will be vital in deciding where the Premier League title ends up.

After Man City's demolition of Fulham at Saturday lunchtime took them back to the top of the table, Mikel Arteta's Gunners know it's a must-win game if they are to topple Pep Guardiola's men.

The game is equally important for Erik ten Hag's side, but for different reasons. An improved performance after the 4-0 mauling at Crystal Palace must be the very basic starting point.

Here are five things to look out for from the game.

Different midfield?

Erik ten Hag has regressed to the generational nadir of Brentford with his recent midfield selections. He underestimated the ferocity of the Premier League in his second game in charge with an axis of Christian Eriksen and Fred and did so again at Crystal Palace, where Eriksen retained his place by default.

Eriksen and Kobbie Mainoo has never been a compatible partnership. Before this recent three-game run, they were together for the comeback win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day, their union lasted a half in the defeat at Nottingham Forest and they were outplayed by Tottenham in the 2-2 draw.

United have conceded seven goals to teams in the bottom seven over the last week-and-a-half. As out of his depth as Sofyan Amrabat is, he would offer some balance if Casemiro somehow continues at centre back.

Arsenal of old?

United fans of a certain vintage will remember Arsenal clinching the title in their penultimate game at Old Trafford in 2002. They cannot do that today but there are credible comparisons with Arsene Wenger's second double winners.

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Arsenal have not won at Old Trafford in the Premier League with a crowd present since September 2006 when Tomasz Kuszczak made his United debut. They have been the more accomplished side in all three games against Ten Hag's United and have improved on last season.

Or does the Old Trafford curse continue?

That Arsenal won at United during the Covid-19 pandemic is additional evidence of how misleading and meaningless that surreal era was. They thought they were title challengers in 2016 yet lost to a United so depleted they ended the day with a back four of Guillermo Varela, Michael Carrick, Daley Blind and Timothy Fosu-Mensah on Marcus Rashford's Premier League debut. There were also wins with a midfield of the Da Silvas, Darron Gibson and John O'Shea and a back three of Chris Smalling, Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett.

United ensured Jurgen Klopp's long goodbye would not be crowned with a trophy in two separate home games against Liverpool and Mikel Arteta must be mindful of that as Arsenal's collapse last season effectively ended at another famous north-west ground, Anfield.

Hojlund: hopeful or hopeless?

Rasmus Hojlund instantly bonded with the United matchgoers when he emerged for his debut at Arsenal in September. He unnerved William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, somewhat fortunate not to concede a penalty for manhandling the Dane.

Hojlund has been a boy against men of late, whether that is Virgil van Dijk or compatriot Joachim Andersen. He is operating naively, dropping too deep and needlessly nudging Dean Henderson. Hojlund has one goal in nine games.

Harry Kane has scored more club goals this season than Hojlund has in his career. That is an unfair but relevant comparison. United lacked ambition with their striker and midfield recruits in the summer yet overpaid for both.

Hojlund has shown promise but he is in the midst of his worst run of form at the worst possible time.

Admission for Amad?

Antony has scored a couple of admirable goals and delivered the best performance of his United career in the past two months. All three feats have been false dawns. He did not start in the following fixture after his game-changing impact in the FA Cup epic against Liverpool, could not start against Liverpool in the league three days on from his influential display at Chelsea and was hooked on the hour at Selhurst Park.

Ten Hag is brazen in his favouritism towards Antony but it is high time Amad started a meaningful game for United nearly four years into his Old Trafford career.