Michael Carrick will lead Manchester United at the Old Trafford for the first time as a caretaker manager in what will be his last game before interim manager, Ralf Rangnick takeover as Arsenal visits in continuation of the Premier League season on Thursday.
VILLARREAL, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Michael Carrick, Interim Manager of Manchester United looks on as he inspects the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League group F match between Villarreal CF and Manchester United at Estadio de la Ceramica on November 23, 2021 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Sacked after the disappointing loss to Watford, Ole Gunnar Solskjær never record a Premier League win over Arsenal in his three year with the club despite his side playing the Gunners five times under two different managers.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær player two, lost one and drawn one against Unai Emery during the Spaniard spell at Arsenal while under Mikel Arteta, they played three, lost two and drawn one and never score a goal in all the three games.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s only win against Arsenal came in the FA Cup round four clash, which was his first game against the Gunner, a 3-1 win thanks to goals from Alexis Sanches, Jesse Lingard and Romelu Lukaku.
Michael Carrick leads the team out on Thursday looking for their first win against Arsenal in the Premier League since a 2-1 win under Jose Mourinho back in April 2018. A win will also see United pick up their first league win in four games.
Beating Arsenal will however will not be an easy feat. The Gunners have only lost to Liverpool in their last twelve games and head into the clash on better form than their host.
Harry Maguire will return from his one-game ban but United will still be without Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and Raphael Varane, while Luke Shaw remains a doubt. Granit Xhaka is the main player out for the Mikel Arteta side, who will be looking to continue their impressive run against United.
Carrick will be looking for a win, to leave the helm with a record of two wins and a draw, which will keep him high in regard, playing three tough games with a club in crisis infield, and remaining unbeaten.
After losing to Watford at Vicarage Road, not many would have foreseen United without a defeat when they play both Chelsea and Villarreal but Carrick has done a remarkable job in the short period, and his time will be remembered for good not withstanding the result at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
