Manchester United has announced the squad for the Arsenal match with the return of the iron defender! Carrick is confident in continuing the winning streak, and Solskjaer sends his blessings.

On Saturday, Manchester United departed from Stockport station by train heading south to London, gearing up for the showdown against Premier League leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium the following day. Manager Carrick’s squad has been boosted by the return of Mazraoui from the Africa Cup of Nations. The Moroccan right-back joined the team’s trip to London and will participate for the first time since early December. However, center-back De Ligt and forward Zirkzee are definitely sidelined, as neither is included in the traveling party. Additionally, Jack Fletcher, son of Manchester United youth coach Darren Fletcher, was not selected in the squad.

Although Arsenal still leads the table, they have drawn 0-0 in their last two matches, failing to capitalize on the decline in form of challengers like Manchester City and Aston Villa. After Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Wolves on Saturday, the gap has been reduced to four points again. Guardiola will be supporting last week’s derby opponent on Sunday, hoping Carrick’s team can stop the Gunners.

Data shows that although Arsenal secured a 3-1 victory over Inter Milan at the Meazza midweek to confirm their Champions League ranking, Arteta’s side has struggled after Champions League fixtures this season, having been held to three draws and only narrowly beating bottom-placed Wolves thanks to an own goal in stoppage time.

Carrick once defeated Arteta during his brief spell as Manchester United manager; in December 2021, his team won 3-2 at Old Trafford. However, United’s last Premier League victory at the Emirates was back in December 2017, during Wenger’s final season while Mourinho was the Red Devils’ boss.

Carrick is confident about beating Arsenal and aims to achieve consecutive Premier League wins, a feat that Ruben Amorim managed only once in over a year of coaching. However, Carrick admits that the tactics used to beat Manchester City cannot simply be replicated against Arsenal, whose defense is stronger than Guardiola’s team.

“This won’t be a simple copy-paste,” Carrick said. “I never like to say ‘everything stays the same’ because facts never repeat themselves. Even if you perform excellently in the first half, playing your best for 45 minutes, the second half will never be the same as the first. Last week we controlled the game well, thanks to the players. But the whole team must build on that. If we perform at our best, we believe Manchester United has a very good chance to win.”

The Arsenal vs. Manchester United clash may turn into a battle of set pieces. This season, Manchester United has scored 13 Premier League goals from corners, free kicks, and throw-ins excluding penalties, only one fewer than Arsenal’s 14.

Carrick stated: “Matches from three or four years ago are long gone and no longer matter. While that experience can sometimes help, I think this game is completely different from the past. My confidence in this match comes from the qualities shown by me and the coaching staff since arriving here—in how we prepare for matches, train, and how players execute their tasks.”

The British tabloid The Sun revealed that within less than two weeks of Carrick’s management, players are very pleased with his training sessions, especially the atmosphere. Reportedly, Carrick’s sessions are shorter but more intense, and most importantly, more enjoyable.

One Manchester United player compared former coach Ruben Amorim’s training to “playing chess on the pitch,” noting that his obsession with details could exhaust the team and cause physical shortcomings. Sources said: “Amorim’s sessions were tough but dull. He focused too much on tactical details, and players spent a lot of time on the training ground, but the intensity wasn’t high. They had to absorb a large amount of information that left them mentally drained. Since Carrick took over, training is completely different—shorter, more intense, and players actually prefer this style. They believe the win over Manchester City was entirely due to Carrick’s tactical approach.”

After the derby victory, Manchester United defender Maguire said: “Carrick has great ideas and excellent communication skills; tactically, he’s very strong. I must say, working with him and the coaching team this week has impressed me deeply. He tries to bring new energy and concepts without putting too much tactical pressure. I feel he wants to reinvigorate Manchester United, which is crucial.”

Before the match, Carrick also revealed that he received blessings and advice from former teammate, colleague, and rival Solskjaer. It’s well known that Carrick replaced Solskjaer as manager after beating him, but the Norwegian spoke with Carrick and expressed happiness to see Manchester United defeat Manchester City.

Carrick said: “Yes, I have spoken with him. I have a good relationship with Solskjaer. We have been through a lot together, so he fully supports me, which is expected. He’s an amazing person whom I respect greatly. He wished me all the best and was happy about our results. I believe friendship requires communication and dialogue. I have many friends I can confide in when necessary. Honestly, I don’t like bothering others, but if needed, he will definitely support me.”

Manchester United’s 20-man squad traveling to Arsenal: Sena Lamens, Altay Bayindir; Eden Haven, Lenny Yaro, Lisandro Martinez, Maguire, Diogo Dalot, Mazraoui, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dogu, Tyrell Malacia; Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Cody Gakpo, Ugarte, Mason Mount; Amad Diallo, Mbemo, Cunha, Sesko.