Red Devils, Gunners in grudge duel

Before the emergence of Chelsea and Manchester City this was often a fixture between the two title contenders, but there remains a desperation to win from both sides as they jostle for position in the table

Man U vs Arsenal
Venue: Old Trafford
Kick off: 4pm
One of the biggest rivalries in English football resumes on Sunday afternoon (today) when Manchester United host Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Before the emergence of Chelsea and Manchester City this was often a fixture between the two title contenders, but there remains a desperation to win from both sides as they jostle for position in the table.
After agreeing to become the Manchester United manager last summer, Louis van Gaal would have been fully aware that his big challenge was to turn the team into title contenders once again, but realistically, he has passed his first test by taking the club to the brink of Champions League qualification.
United would need to lose both their matches while Liverpool pick up six points, and even then only a big swing in goal difference would prevent the club from returning to Europe’s elite club competition.
Just a couple of weeks back it looked like qualification would not be as routine as it first appeared, but last week’s victory over Crystal Palace ended a run of three straight defeats to move them clear of Liverpool once again.
Another win at the weekend would see them leapfrog Arsenal, and the battle for third spot could be crucial as both sides look to avoid a potentially tricky playoff on the way to the Champions League group stages.
United still have two games to focus on before another busy summer begins, and Van Gaal will be hopeful that automatic Champions League qualification is secure before then.
Statistically, no team has been better than Arsenal in the Premier League in 2015, but their momentum was halted on Monday night as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Swansea City.
Arsene Wenger suggested after the game that Swansea were reluctant to come out and play attacking football at the Emirates Stadium, but it may have felt like a familiar story for the Gunners fans as they struggled to break down a stubborn defence.
However, one slip-up should certainly not take the shine off what has been a fine second half of the season for Arsenal, and Wenger has once again passed the first test of clinching Champions League qualification.
FA Cup commitments mean that Arsenal have a game in hand over both Manchester clubs and they will be keen to beat their rivals to second spot before switching their focus to a Wembley clash against Aston Villa.
Man Utd possible starting lineup:
De Gea, Valencia, Rojo, Smalling, Blind, Jones, Herrera, Mata, Fellaini, Young, Van Persie
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Cazorla, Coquelin, Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud.