Rarely has the third round of the FA Cup thrown up a fixture as tantalising as this one. This one pits Arsenal, the team who have lifted the trophy on a record 14 occasions, against Manchester United, the side with an unparalleled 22 appearances in the final.
In January 2019, United triumphed at the Emirates in this competition largely thanks to the efforts of former Arsenal man Alexis Sanchez. When these sides met in December in the league, Ruben Amorim suffered his first defeat as United manager and it began a dreadful run that sees the club languishing precariously close to the relegation zone.
And yet the weekend brought one of the surprises of the season as Amorim took his team to Anfield where they produced a brilliant display and emerged with a creditable 2-2 draw and, in truth, could have taken all three points. This is the first time since the Portuguese took charge at Old Trafford that he has had an entire week to work with the players.
Arsenal followed up a disappointing draw at Brighton last weekend with a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final. Supporters could not be blamed for believing this competition and the Champions League might now be their best chances of a trophy this season.
The visitors will be without Luke Shaw and Mason Mount, naturally. Their compatriot Marcus Rashford may well have played his last game for the club although the official reason for his absence at Liverpool was illness.
The hosts will have to make do without Bukayo Saka due to a hamstring injury as well as Ethan Nwaneri and, in all likelihood, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White.
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Arsenal vs Manchester United odds
Odds from Betfair updated as of 6 p.m. GMT Friday.
- Arsenal win: 8/11 (-137)
- Draw: 11/4 (+275)
- Manchester United win: 15/4 (+375)
Venue: Emirates Stadium — London
Time: 3 p.m. GMT (10 a.m. ET), Sunday
Form guide (all competitions)
Arsenal: L-D-W-W-W
Manchester United: D-L-L-L-L
Match prediction
Arsenal 3-2 Manchester United
This is a tough one to call. United looked transformed on the weekend against Liverpool but there have been more false dawns at Old Trafford than Groundhog Day over the last decade. Arsenal are struggling to close the gap on league-leaders Liverpool and the cup result in the week was a real blow for Mikel Arteta since he will feel a trophy needs to come soon. United will bring plenty of fans to North London and no midweek game will help as Amorim attempts to implement his ideas. The visitors ought to have the ability to push Arsenal close but the FA Cup’s most decorated club could edge this one.
More FA Cup coverage
Why Arsenal will be wearing an all-white kit in the FA Cup
Arsenal, the Emirates atmosphere and the need for synergy between team and fans
Ruben Amorim says Manchester United ‘need to improve recruitment’, wants Kobbie Mainoo to stay
(Photo of Martin Odegaard: Shaun Botterill / Getty Images)