3 key battles when Manchester United take on Arsenal

Daley Blind v Alexis Sanchez

Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez has been in terrific form for the Gunners this season, and he carried that into the international arena earlier this week by netting a brace for Chile.

Should the 27-year-old, who has scored eight times for Arsenal already this season, be fit enough to play at Old Trafford, he is going to give the makeshift United backline a tricky afternoon.

Thus, a lot will depend on how well Daley Blind leads the United back four, and indeed defends individually against Sanchez.

The Dutchman has played in several positions since moving to United, and he’ll likely have to remain at centre-back for the visit of the Gunners, probably alongside Phil Jones.

Mourinho will be relying on Blind’s experience to help a depleted United back four get through a testing encounter, and it’ll be his job to nullify the threat posed by the in-form Sanchez.