Rejuvenated Manchester United out to halt Arsenal’s EPL title charge

LONDON – Arsenal versus Manchester United is a fixture that has lost its lustre since the days when they were scrapping for Premier League titles with such ferocity that clashes between the sides inevitably reached boiling point.

They shared out the title between them for nine seasons between 1996 and 2004, with Alex Ferguson’s United taking six and Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal prevailing on three occasions.

United have been a fading force since Ferguson’s reign ended with the 2012-13 title, while Arsenal have not been champions of England since their Invincibles ruled the roost in 2003-04.

After three successive runners-up finishes, the Gunners are red-hot favourites to end that long wait this season and have opened a seven-point lead at the top over stuttering Manchester City and Aston Villa.

They host United on Jan 25 and, while their visitors are, once again, not in the title equation, the match has suddenly gone from being what most assumed would be a comfortable home win to a fixture that could rekindle memories.

The

sacking of manager Ruben Amorim

this month ended another chapter of woe for United, but the appointment of former midfielder Michael Carrick on a caretaker basis until the end of the season sparked an astonishing reaction last weekend.

United's 2-0 “thrashing” of City at Old Trafford

seemed to banish the gloom at a stroke – with Carrick’s side ripping Pep Guardiola’s title contenders to shreds with the kind of swashbuckling football that has been beyond them for so long.

So what’s next for the Red Devils?

“Everyone came through really well. It has been a good week. A big result, performance and an uplift inside the stadium,” said Carrick as he looked ahead to the Arsenal clash.

“We need to keep our feet on the ground. One game does not make you a great team. A lot of confidence.

“They (Arsenal) are a very good team. It is a big challenge.

“They are in the Champions League for a reason. Not taking them lightly.

“We want to be positive... We have our own ideas that is what we are working towards.”

Arsenal have won five and drawn once in their last six league meetings with United, although they did lose a penalty shoot-out at home in January 2025 in the FA Cup.

While Mikel Arteta’s team have a comfortable cushion at the top, they have drawn their last two league games 0-0 and will be wary of a United side who will be eager to prove last weekend was no flash in the pan.

“I think for Michael his game plan is simple: Exactly the same way as you’ve just played against Manchester City,” United’s record scorer Wayne Rooney said this week.

However, it is easier said than done as United have struggled for consistency this season – apart from a three-game winning run in October, they have failed to win consecutive games in the league.

Although trailing Arsenal by 15 points, United are in fifth, one point behind fourth-placed champions Liverpool, and with genuine hopes of qualifying for the Champions League after the ignominy of being absent from Europe this season.

In the lead-up to this match on Jan 22, United also confirmed that midfielder Casemiro

will leave at the end of the season

at the expiry of his contract.

The 33-year-old Brazilian midfielder does have a one-year extension option, but the hierarchy has chosen not to activate it, according to a team source.

Casemiro arrived at Old Trafford in August 2022 from Real Madrid for a fee of around £60 million (S$103 million), and the five-time Champions League winner became the anchor of the team’s midfield, scoring 21 goals in 146 games.

On his departure, Carrick said: “It is coming into that time of the season with contracts. The announcement for Case was for clarity. It was decided before I arrived.

“The type of personality and character he is shows with his performance. He is desperate to do well (for the rest of the season).” REUTERS, AFP