Michael Carrick Could be Playing his Final Season at Man United

Asked if he would like to remain at Old Trafford beyond this season, the former England worldwide told Sky Sports: “Yeah, but I’m 35 now and I have to be realistic”.

The midfield has a nice balance, with Michael Carrick sitting at the base with the in-form Ander Herrera and star signing Paul Pogba playing ahead of him.

“You do not play against a manager, you play against a team”.

Manchester United defender, Matteo Darmian has no inkling as to why Mourinho will not select him for matches, despite his decision to fight for the club.

With this in mind, odds of 5/6 (1.83) appear well worth backing on over 2.5 goals being scored for the fifth time in six meetings between these sides, as well as Arsenal’s fifth game in six on the road.

We shall see if he gets a trophy this seaon with the Red Devils or not.

As noted by Sky Sports’ Adam Bate, Carrick has maintained a 96.55 per cent passing accuracy in the league this year-higher than any other United player-and makes more passes per 90 minutes than his team-mates.

When Wenger was asked if he would shake Mourinho’s hand this time, he replied: “Of course, I respect the ritual that is so important in the Premier League”.

Wenger will be hoping for a clean bill of health from all of his returning internationals, having lost the services of forward Lucas Perez to an ankle injury just ahead of the worldwide break. Who is actually going to come back?

Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger, in particular, will vouch for that ahead of the renewal of their often-heated coaching rivalry.

Referee Andre Marriner will best be remembered for the inexplicable refereeing performance in a game between Arsenal and Chelsea a few years ago.

Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling are confirmed to miss the game due to injury, and thus join Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the stands, who is out due to suspension.

Probably, then, the last team it would want to see arriving at Selhurst Park on Saturday is Pep Guardiola’s free-scoring Man City side.

Arindam is ESPN FC’s Manchester United correspondent.