Manchester United face a tough assignment on Sunday afternoon, with Arsenal coming to Old Trafford in the Premier League. The Red Devils will be hoping they can pick up their first win in a couple of games.
United have drawn their last two games 1-1, firstly against Fulham in the FA Cup, who promptly knocked them out on penalties. In midweek, Ruben Amorim’s side drew away from home against Real Sociedad in the Europa League, with a goal from Joshua Zirkzee giving them the lead before the La Liga side equalised with a penalty.
Bouncing back with a win against Mikel Arteta’s side would be timely, to say the least. Amorim could well select a couple of former Gunners players at Old Trafford, too.
The former Arsenal players United could unleash
In the summer, United brought in highly-rated young striker Chido Obi from the Gunners. His contract at the Emirates Stadium expired almost one year ago now, and United pounced. After impressing in the academy, he has since gone on to play in the first team.
Obi has played three games for Amorim’s side so far, impressing in the FA Cup recently against Fulham. Across normal time and extra time, he had three big chances, and showed real initiative to fashion opportunities for himself.
The other ex-Arsenal star United could unleash on Sunday is Ayden Heaven. The defender joined the Red Devils in January, as one of Amorim’s first signings. His contract was set to expire in the summer, but United paid a £1.5m compensation fee to bring him to the club sooner.
Heaven made his first appearance in the FA Cup penalty loss to Fulham last weekend. He played the entirety of extra time and made a big impression at left centre-back.
He received a 7/10 from Goal journalist Richard Martin, who said the United number 26 was ‘excellent’.
Former Arsenal talents Obi and Heaven might not be the only youngsters United to start against the Gunners, however.
Man Utd could have unearthed their own Nwaneri
One of the most exciting talents in the Premier League this season is Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri. He has been excellent this term for his boyhood club, scoring eight times and grabbing an assist in 27 appearances.
Well, United can’t unleash Nwaneri this weekend, but they could start someone very similar, Jack Fletcher. Like the Arsenal wonderkid, the England under-18 international is a 17-year-old left-footer, who typically operates in an attacking midfield berth.
The youngster has made a big impression for United’s academy sides this season. Across all competitions, he has played 15 games, scoring six goals and registering six assists, mainly operating as a number ten.
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Fletcher’s academy record for United – 2024/25 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Competition |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
|
Premier League 2 |
6 |
2 |
3 |
|
UEFA Youth League |
3 |
0 |
1 |
|
FA Youth Cup |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
EFL Trophy |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Under-18s Premier League |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Stats from Transfermarkt |
|||
It is not too far-fetched to think that the “marvellous” youngster, as he was described by the Daily Mail’s Nathan Salt, will be involved against the Gunners.
Fletcher, who is the son of United legend Darren, has been on the bench five times this season, including once under Amorim against Tottenham Hotspur.
In United under-18’s recent FA Youth Cup triumph against the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium, Fletcher actually got himself on the scoresheet.
The youngster’s goal was described as “stunning” by Laurie Whitwell, journalist for The Athletic. Impressively, it was taken on his weak foot, his right foot.
Playing Fletcher against Arsenal would be a bold call from Amorim. He is yet to make his first-team debut, and this would certainly be throwing him in at the deep end. However, his quality is clear to see.
If Amorim was to bring Fletcher into the side, he would certainly hope he can replicate Nwaneri’s impact in the Gunners’ first team, and have a positive impact for United.
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