Arsenal visit struggling Manchester United this weekend (Pictures: Getty)
Chris Sutton has revealed his bold scoreline prediction for Arsenal’s crucial Premier League clash at struggling Manchester United.
Mikel Arteta’s side visit Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon aiming to keep the pressure on Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
Arsenal have enjoyed another impressive season under Arteta – amassing 83 points from 36 games – but will still miss out on the title if Man City win their remaining fixtures.
The Gunners blinked in last season’s run-in but have shown no such fragility this term, beating Wolves, Chelsea, Tottenham and Bournemouth since mid-April to maintain the pressure on City.
Manchester United, meanwhile, have won just one of their previous five league games and suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace last time out.
Sitting eighth, United have little to play for in the Premier League, though they will be keen to find some form ahead of their FA Cup final against Man City at the end of the month.
Ex-Premier League striker Sutton cannot see that happening against Arsenal, however, and believes the hosts could be on the wrong end of another thrashing at Old Trafford.
Ex-Premier League striker Chris Sutton (Picture: Getty)
‘Manchester United fans need to stop living in the past and pretending we are still in the Sir Alex Ferguson era,’ Sutton told BBC Sport.
‘My favourite team of the Premier League era was Ferguson’s Treble-wining side of 1999, so for everyone who thinks I dislike United, I don’t.
‘They were also the best team the Premier League has ever seen but, while they were brilliant then, they are not anymore.
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‘Their manager Erik ten Hag is off at the end of the season, I’m convinced of that, and Arsenal should wipe the floor with them at Old Trafford.
‘The only question is whether the Gunners turn up but even if they are below their best, this could end up being a cricket score.
‘I’ve got to say that while I’ve been critical of Bruno Fernandes in regards to the Manchester United captaincy, they missed him badly against Palace.
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‘United really need Fernandes back for this game but, even if he is fit, the only way they can win is by defending in numbers and taking whatever chances they get on the counter-attack.
‘They will also need Arsenal to not quite be at it but, with what is at stake, I think the opposite will apply. I am expecting the Gunners to win easily, 5-1.’
While Arsenal are the form side, they have won just one of their previous 16 games at Old Trafford, beating Manchester United 1-0 in November 2020.
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