Odegaard debut decision, Aubameyang ‘ruled out’, Cavani MUST start

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Manchester United travel to Arsenal on Saturday as two of England’s biggest clubs go head-to-head once again.

Nine times out of ten, this fixture is a hugely entertaining affair – and you can follow all the action live on talkSPORT.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Mikel Arteta both face must win games this weekend in their battle for a Euro spot

Arsenal vs Manchester United was once the game of the season.

The rivals went battled for the title in the late 90s and early 2000s with legendary managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger vying for top spot.

But it’s a very different story these days, with Liverpool and Manchester City winning three of the last four Premier League crowns.

The Gunners, however, look to be going in the right direction under Mikel Arteta.

Ferguson and Wenger are two of the greatest managers in Premier League history

After a torrid start to the season, they have got their campaign back on track with five wins in their last six Premier League outings.

Manchester United, meanwhile, were tipped to be title contenders but an embarrassing defeat to rock-bottom Sheffield United earlier this week has dampened the mood at Old Trafford.

But what is the team news for the clash and how could they line-up at the Emirates?

Arsenal team news

The Gunners will reportedly be without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as he continues to deal with a personal issue.

The striker has missed the last two matches and explained on social media that his absence was due to his mother suffering from ‘health issues’.

Arteta refused to answer questions on whether Aubameyang had travelled abroad to spend time with his mother and if quarantine rules would therefore prevent him from facing United at the weekend.

He said: “He had to support his family and he had to be with them.”

Football.London claim Aubameyang will be absent again against United.

Elsewhere, Arsenal have more concerns surrounding the availability of their star players.

Aubameyang has missed the last two Arsenal matches

Thomas Partey was man of the match as Arsenal won at Old Trafford earlier in the season but he limped out of the victory on Tuesday night – as did in-form youngster Emile Smith Rowe – while Kieran Tierney did not travel to the south coast.

Both players look likely to recover for the clash and make the starting XI.

“Let’s see how they come through training,” Arteta replied when asked about the fitness of Partey and Smith Rowe.

“They had some discomfort in different parts. We will have to wait and see how they evolve. Will still have some days until the game, but not long, so let’s see how they are.”

Tierney, at least, is expected to feature as his omission in midweek was to not risk any further setback as he prepares for the United clash.

Martin Odegaard joined on loan from Real Madrid on Wednesday and will train with his new team-mates for the first time just two days out from the game, although it is believed his lack of match fitness means he is highly unlikely to start.

Manchester United team news

Solskjaer could make a few changes after the defeat to the Blades in midweek.

Edinson Cavani could come into the line-up in place of Anthony Martial, whose recent performances have under scrutiny.

And Mark Hughes told talkSPORT earlier that the Uruguayan striker should be a certainty in Solskjaer’s XI.

He said: “I think he’s an outstanding centre forward. He’s a physical presence up there, big guy and got pace.

“The key thing for me which is maybe different to what Greenwood and Rashford offer is his movement in the box. He gets across people at the front post.

“As the main striker he’d be the one I’d pick.”

Axel Tuanzebe is likely to be replaced by Victor Lindelof, with the Swede set to return from a nagging back problem.

Lindelof may well return to XI after a constant back problem

Eric Bailly looked set to partner Harry Maguire against Sheffield United, but was ruled out after sustaining a knock in training earlier this week and he remains doubtful for the Arsenal clash.

Luke Shaw, Fred and Scott McTominay are among the other players who will be pushing for a start.

Shaw will likely come in for Alex Telles at left-back, while Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba are expected to keep their places.

Bruno Fernandes should also start once again, despite having now gone four Premier League games without a goal or an assist – his longest drought since joining the club a year ago.