The race for the last guaranteed place to qualify direct to the Champions League group stage out of the English Premier League is going down to the wire, but once this Manchester United vs. Arsenal match is done it could be officially decided. While who finishes in the top four has been locked in and Chelsea have won the title, the order of the three teams behind them is still very much up in the air. Depending on how this match ends, we could find that question all but answered.
Manchester United vs. Arsenal 2015: Time, TV schedule and team news
Arsenal have a chance to secure a place in England’s top three, but have to win at Old Trafford to pull it off.
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Arsenal currently sit third, three points behind Manchester City and two ahead of Sunday’s opponents Manchester United. City have all but secured a place in the top three, with only losing their last two matches offering them any risk, so the last spot is down to Arsenal and United, and the Gunners have a decided edge in that fight.
Not only do Arsenal have the advantage of a face-to-face battle Sunday with one of their rivals for a guaranteed group stage ticket, but they also hold a game in hand over their rivals, having played only 35 Premier League matches to United and City playing 36. Even if they lose today, Arsenal stand an excellent chance of finishing in the top three -- but if they can find a way to win at Old Trafford, they’ll knock United out of the chase and give themselves a chance to finish second. That’s far from a given, with United’s home becoming a difficult place to win in again this season, but Arsenal are the second-best team in the Premier League in this campaign. If anyone can pull it off, it’s the Gunners.
Key player - Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
After a little bit of a dry spell, Sanchez has been in scintillating form again in the last month, scoring five goals in his last six matches. His pattern has been to score in every other match, and by that he’s due to score today. If Sanchez stays true to form, United’s defense is set for a very difficult day, and Arsenal should be able to emerge triumphant from the difficult realm of Old Trafford.
Key Matchup - Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United) vs. Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
Speaking of in-form players, Fellaini and Ramsey have been crucial to the recent runs of good form for both sides. Two players who have had to adopt all-action box-to-box roles this season thanks to injuries and other issues in their respective sides, the Belgian and the Welshman will likely find themselves going head to head quite frequently in this match. Whoever comes out the better of those duels will likely play a crucial role in the result of the match -- while Fellaini holds a notable physical edge, Ramsey’s craftiness cannot be counted out. This will be a fun little story to watch play out as events unfold.
Manchester United injuries and suspensions
Out: Wayne Rooney (thigh), Luke Shaw (face), Rafael (ribs), Michael Carrick (calf) In doubt: Jonny Evans (knock), Chris Smalling (muscular), Angel Di Maria (knock), Robin Van Persie (ill)
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Danny Welbeck (knee), Mathieu Debuchy (hamstring), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring) In doubt: none
Arsenal are in fairly good health, though they’ll likely wish they had Danny Welbeck around to help their striker depth, especially since he’s performed well against Manchester United when he’s been called to action against his old team this season. United are more battered, with the home side missing their captain Wayne Rooney, and with a host of important players either carrying knocks or ill.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 11 a.m. ET, 4 p.m. local
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), Telemundo (U.S. - Spanish), TSN 1, 5 (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD UK (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. - English), Deportes Telemundo En Vivo Extra (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Go (U.K.)
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