Man United are currently eighth in the Premier League table and next up they take on arch-rivals Arsenal at Old Trafford on Monday.
The Red Devils are three points behind the Gunners and right now Solskjaer’s men are under heaps of pressure especially after losing their previous league encounter vs West Ham United.
Rumours claim that the noose is starting to tighten around Ole’s neck and if Man United cannot beat Arsenal on Monday then it will be very difficult for them to aim a top-four finish by the end of the season.
At the start of the week, there were several reports that a number of injured Man United players would be returning back to action for the Man United vs Arsenal clash but that might not be the case.
Man United news vs Arsenal:
The biggest setback for Solskjaer is the injury sustained by Paul Pogba during the win vs Rochdale in midweek.
The manager has made it clear that the Frenchman has a swollen ankle and is a doubt for the Man United vs Arsenal on Monday. And with Pogba out of the picture, Ole might revert back to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
“He [Pogba] finished the game [on Wednesday] and got a knock to his ankle which is very swollen so it was best for him not to go there [to the team meeting]. He is a doubt for Arsenal. That’s just the way it is,” Solskjaer said(as quoted by Sky Sports).
If the midfielder is not fit to play then Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay will play in central midfield while Juan Mata or Jesse Lingard get to play in a more attacking role right behind the striker.
The manager also revealed that Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are fighting a race against time to be fit and there is every possibility that they too might miss the Man United vs Arsenal game.
The manager added: “I wouldn’t put my life on Rashford and Martial being fit, that’s part of this game – you work with what you have.”
The absence of these two forwards means Daniel James will surely keep his place in the first XI and there is also a chance that Andres Pereira gets to play down the right flank.
But if Juan Mata gets to start on Monday then Pereira might drop back to the bench and Jesse Lingard gets to play on the flank.
Luke Shaw has been recovering from a thigh injury but Solskjaer has hinted the left-back might be fit in time to be named in the first XI for the Man United vs Arsenal game.
“Luke Shaw is back in training today, he is getting there, so let’s see how he reacts in the next couple of days,” Solskjaer said.
“He’s been working hard. We hope to see him before the international break, maybe on Monday but I’m not sure.”
Mason Greenwood scored Man United’s only goal vs Rochdale in midweek and if Martial is not deemed fit then the youngster will get his first league start of the new season.
