- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Champions League football can be sealed with a point for Manchester United, who face Arsenal in the penultimate round of the English Premier League at Old Trafford. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 12:45am (AEST).
In a season of seemingly apparent highs and over-exaggerated lows, you can say “job almost done” to Louis van Gaal and Manchester United.
Granted, fourth spot is three too low for England’s most successful club, but there is no question the chief emotion come season end will be relief for the Red Devils.
The biggest compliment you can pay to Van Gaal is how neither Sir Alex Ferguson nor David Moyes have been used as figures of comparison. As unsuccessful as he may have been, Moyes was the enabler for the unobstructed path that the Dutchman has enjoyed this season. Time has proven it has been easier to follow the near disastrous tenure of Moyes than it was for the Scot to follow the near unparalleled success of Fergie.
While a point will be enough for United to return to the Champions League next season, even that it is only deemed necessary if Liverpool beat Crystal Palace. But given their healthy advantage on goal difference, only a seismic disaster can deny United.
Against United are Arsenal, whose progress this season has been somewhat understated given Chelsea’s dominance. More by accident than design, Arsene Wenger has found a formula to increase his team’s defensive structures without compromising attractive football. With the Gunners playing their catch-up game against Sunderland mid-week, a second-placed finish would be demonstrative of Arsenal’s development, and may point to better days ahead.
Team-wise, Van Gaal will be loathe to change the team that won at Crystal Palace last weekend. The only possible change may come in the return of Angel di Maria, whose involvement may be telling in how much van Gaal relies on the Argentine next season. Otherwise, it should be the same XI to start against Arsenal.
For Arsenal, Wenger will be tempted to play it safe in a game where not losing will be viewed positively. Having dominated but lost to Swansea City on Tuesday morning, Wenger may be tempted to change his upfront option, with Olivier Giroud firing blanks. In his place may either be the wantaway Theo Walcott, or the returning United junior Danny Welbeck, who scored against his old club in the FA Cup.
Beyond team selection however, the critical question for Arsenal remains their ability to win against their title rivals, and in this respect, will continue to be their barrier to greater honours next season.
In a season where the difference between top and bottom has been stark, the result of this game will be less about capping off satisfying seasons, and more about the direction for the next campaign. Expect an affair free of consequence, but that tells plenty about the fortunes of Manchester United and Arsenal next season.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.