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The EPL is back this weekend with super clash between Manchester United and Arsenal

By Michael Abayateye
It promises to be an intense game between the two sides
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The Old Trafford will host the biggest game on the return of English Premier League this weekend as Manchester United faces Arsenal.

The highly-anticipated Match Day 12 encounter at 12:30 GMT would see two rivals Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger go at each other again at the sidelines.

Arsenal would be hoping to deepen the woes of Manchester United who are having a torrid time under Mourinho.

It promises to be a very big game after the international break as fans across the world would be looking forward to the encounter.

United against Arsenal games are always tense affairs and, with the Reds fighting to close a six-point gap on the visitors, this meeting should prove no different.

The Gunners are unbeaten since the opening day of the season, form which has lifted them to fourth in the Premier League table with only two points off the top.

Arsene Wenger’s men have won seven and drawn two of their last nine league games, raising hopes they could claim their first title since 2004. They currently sit below Manchester City on goal difference, as well as leaders Liverpool and second-placed Chelsea.

United, meanwhile, are looking to build on the 3-1 victory at Swansea City  in the last Premier League weekend a fortnight ago. 

The rivalry is a long and storied one. After first meeting back in 1894 as Newton Heath and Woolwich Arsenal, the clubs have faced each other 223 times in total, with United winning 94, drawing 49 and losing 80. There have been some famous clashes in Manchester in recent years including a dramatic end to the Gunners' unbeaten 49-game run in 2004 and, of course, who can forget the incredible 8-2 for Sir Alex Ferguson and his team in 2011? The North London outfit may have wrapped up the title at Old Trafford in 2002 but they haven't won at United's ground in the league for 10 long years.

When the teams met at Old Trafford in February, fifth-placed United beat third-placed Arsenal 3-2, with Marcus Rashford scoring twice on his league debut. The Londoners had no answer to the pace and skill of the then 18-year-old; if he’s selected up front by Jose Mourinho this weekend, let’s hope he repeats the trick!

United could have a few absentees on Saturday. One man who is definitely out is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is suspended for one game after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Swansea.

The Swede’s absence means the likes of Rashford, Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney could feature up front, though the captain will be assessed after missing England’s friendly against Spain with a minor knee injury.

Eric Bailly and Antonio Valencia are still sidelined and Marouane Fellaini (calf) is doubtful, while both Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw remained at the Aon Training Complex during the international break after missing the win at Swansea. Mourinho could provide more updates during his pre-match press conference on Friday.  

Alexis Sanchez suffered a muscle injury while training with Chile but scored twice in his country’s World Cup qualifying win over Uruguay on Tuesday, so he seems likely to be involved this weekend. But Wenger is set to be without Hector Bellerin, Santi Cazorla, Per Mertesacker and former Reds striker Danny Welbeck.

Saturday 19 November (15:00 GMT unless stated)
Watford v Leicester City
Everton v Swansea City
Sunderland v Hull City
Southampton v Liverpool
Crystal Palace v Manchester City
Stoke City v Bournemouth
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United, 17:30

Sunday 20 November
Middlesbrough v Chelsea, 16:00 

Monday 21 November
West Bromwich Albion v Burnley, 20:00

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