The Premier League returns this weekend after a fortnight’s break for internationals, and it kicks off again with a belter at Old Trafford as Manchester United host Arsenal.

Jose Mourinho’s United have struggled in the first few months of the season, and sit six points adrift of Saturday’s opponents after winning just five of their opening 11 Premier League matches.

In contrast, Arsene Wenger’s Gunners are unbeaten in their last 16 games in all competitions, dating back to their 4-3 defeat to Liverpool on the opening weekend of the season.

Red Devils boss Mourinho – Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Since then, they’ve recorded seven league wins and three Champions League successes, the latter meaning that they have already qualified for the last 16 of the competition.

However, they travel to Old Trafford on Saturday looking for a first league win there since 2006, and come up against a United side that got back to winning ways prior to the international break courtesy of a 3-1 win at Swansea.

Nonetheless, Gunners fans will feel confident that their side can end their Old Trafford hoodoo on Saturday, although United fans will know that manager Mourinho has never lost to Arsenal in 11 meetings.

It’s all set up to be a thrilling encounter on Saturday, and here are THREE key battles which could determine the outcome in Manchester…

Daley Blind v Alexis Sanchez

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

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.

Paul Pogba v Granit Xhaka

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Premier League games are often won in the middle of the park, and Saturday is likely to be no different.

Paul Pogba hasn’t quite hit the heights since arriving at Old Trafford for £89 million in the summer but, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic suspended and Wayne Rooney doubtful, United will be looking to him to bring his A-game against the Gunners.

However, the man that will try and stop him is Granit Xhaka, who looks to be the real deal in that defensive midfield area.

Despite a few disciplinary issues, the Swiss international has grown into the midfield role, and was superb in the North London derby prior to the international break.

With Pogba likely to take up a more advanced role, it’ll be up to Xhaka to break up play and prevent the Frenchman doing what he does best in the final third.

Ander Herrera v Mesut Ozil

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Like the above battle, it’ll be up to United’s Ander Herrera to stop one of the most in-form players in the division, Mesut Ozil.

The German international wasn’t selected for the national team over the last few weeks, and will feel refreshed and ready to go again on Saturday as he looks to add to his seven goals for Arsenal this season, which is just one less than he got in the whole of last year.

With Sanchez further forward and the pace of Theo Walcott and Alex Iwobi either side, Ozil can dictate play and create several opportunities in that number ten role, and Herrera will be tasked with thwarting the German’s influence.

The Spaniard has been one of United’s better players this season, and was particularly effective against Liverpool last month.

Nonetheless, this is an even greater challenge, but it’s one that he’s capable of standing up to.