Two Manchester United players are out for the Arsenal clash! Carrick aims to break the winless streak, donning black to replicate Lingard’s legendary feat.

Manchester United will visit Premier League leaders Arsenal this Sunday, riding high on confidence after last weekend’s derby victory over Manchester City. New manager Carrick has made a perfect start since returning to the coaching role and urged his players to maintain this momentum and consistency. Arsenal, managed by Arteta, will be the toughest test. The Gunners have remained unbeaten since early December and boosted their confidence with a 3-1 Champions League win over Inter Milan on Tuesday night.

In Carrick’s last match in charge of Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to secure a 3-2 home win against Arsenal. However, the situation at the Emirates is very different; United’s last victory there came in 2017 when Mourinho was the manager and Carrick was still a player.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, Manchester United and Arsenal were the main contenders for the title. By 2010, the balance of power shifted. Initially, United dominated, with Sir Alex Ferguson frequently defeating Wenger, including an 8-2 thrashing. Back then, playing away at the Emirates was considered less challenging than at Highbury.

Unfortunately, recent years have seen a reversal of fortunes, with Manchester United struggling away against Arsenal. The team has twice knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup on their ground, including a penalty shootout win in January 2025 and a 3-1 victory in 2019. However, in the Premier League, the record is quite different. Since United’s 3-1 win at the Emirates in December 2017, they have not won there again.

That 3-1 victory remains memorable for many United fans, despite Pogba’s red card. Goals from Antonio Valencia and Jesse Lingard secured the win. De Gea’s 14 crucial saves dominated the Gunners, and Lingard’s double and celebratory dance have become Premier League classics.

Since Ferguson’s retirement, Manchester United have played Arsenal away in the Premier League 12 times, with only 2 wins, 1 draw, and 9 losses, including 7 shutouts. Carrick needs to break this curse and create another miracle. Interestingly, United have announced they will wear black away kits for this match, the same color Lingard and teammates wore when they last conquered the Gunners in the Premier League!

In this game, United hold a slight advantage over Arsenal with only two injured players. Dutch defender De Ligt and striker Zirkzee are absent from preparations this week and are unlikely to feature in the big derby. De Ligt has been sidelined with a back injury since the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on November 2, initially thought minor but now approaching two months out. Zirkzee was injured before the City match and expects to miss two weeks.

Arsenal have a few injuries as well, but one less than United. Christian Mosquera returned in the midweek Champions League match against Inter, but young talent Max Dowman is still expected to miss out. Dowman is likely to return next month after a foot injury. Piero Hincapie suffered a groin injury earlier this month against Liverpool and is also expected to miss the match against Manchester United.

Additionally, Arsenal will be without Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori, who was injured last week and will miss several weeks, making his return before the Manchester United game unlikely. Therefore, Arteta’s squad faces challenges no less daunting than Carrick’s.

Manchester United fans hope another Lingard, De Gea, or Ronaldo will step up at the Emirates to lead the team in breaking the curse and defeating Arsenal.