Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have yet another selection dilemma to solve when Manchester United look to mastermind another convincing away win against Arsenal today. It seems every big game under Solskjaer has been complicated by the addition of missing key figures, and each and every time he has overcome that obstacle with incredible results. This weekend he faces a slightly different problem, having key players back.
The magnitude of the mystifying win in Paris midweek has injected new found belief into United’s contingent, this is a special side who will fancy their chances against any opponent no matter the circusmtances. Anthony Martial’s return to first-team training will comes as a huge boost to the Norwegian coach, but who he comes in to replace is another quite troublesome dilemma.
United have been so good with a front three in recent weeks, however it was with a false nine which they convincingly conquered the Emirates when these two last met. Whether or not Solskjaer reverts to this formation remains to be seen, but perhaps the element of surprise is what will aid his side once again.
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A front three of Martial, Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku certainly appeals on paper but it remains to be seen what formation would truly utilise this trio in the best method. Some supporters might boldly claim Tahith Chong deserves the right wing berth, but based on Wednesday night’s cameo it seems he is still some way off regular top-flight football.
That is by no means a damning indictment of the Academy ace but merely a reflection of his raw talents which still need to be nurtured. There is a fair argument which states Diogo Dalot should again be allowed to run freely on the right wing, after all he has already done so to clinical effect vs both Southampton and PSG this week.
However, the impressive Ashley Young has already played three matches in the last week and a half and himself might benefit from a timely rest. It remains to be seen how Solskjaer will solve his right wing dilemma this weekend, but doing so could be the difference between making it 10 away wins in a row, and subsequently their entire hopes of automatic Champions League football.
Lukaku has one point to prove
It seems nigh-on impossible to suggest there are still doubts over the true abilities of Lukaku as a centre forward for United. Three consecutive braces have restored the Belgian to the forefront of many supporter’s thoughts as one of the top forwards in European football.
However, even after two crucial goals midweek there still seems to be some critics questioning his quality. There is no hiding from the facts which still seem to anchor the 25-year-old down and prevent him from progressing to the very top. Fourteen per cent of Lukaku’s 113 Premier League goals have come against ‘big six’ opposition – 16 in 74 appearances.
He averages a goal every 346 minutes against these opponents, compared to one every 135 minutes against other opponents. Now he must prove that this recent purple patch is a true reflection of the table he has turned under the guidance of Solskjaer, and not just a statistical anomaly which amplifies his calibre.