Man United's experienced fringe players will help keep the feel good factor going under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, according to George Pitts.
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1pt Man United to score 2+ goals at 11/10
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Arsenal v Manchester United (1955 GMT kick-off, BBC One)
Two FA Cup giants meet at the Emirates on Friday in the eye-catching clash of the fourth round draw.
Arsenal have won the competition a record 13 times, seven under Arsene Wenger, while Man United are one behind on 12.
Unai Emery and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would no doubt love a trophy this year and domestically this is their only remaining option.
The Gunners are 10/1 with Sky Bet to lift the trophy in May, while the Red Devils are 8/1.
"Both managers will want to win it because it would strengthen their positions within where they are at at the club," Gary Neville told Sporting Life earlier this week.
"For Ole, getting into the top four with a trophy would almost cement his role at the club next season which would be wonderful for him. For Unai Emery he has got to make that dressing room a winning dressing room and there’s nothing like putting a medal around your neck."
The two managers, and clubs, also share a common interest this season - looking to break into the top four. In sixth place, Man United may be one below Arsenal in the Premier League table, but six successive wins (seven in all competitions) makes them more fancied to secure Champions League qualification come the end of the campaign.
This is a tie with history though, with many memorable scraps to recall, and one both will be keen not to lose. And Solskjaer knows this fixture well from his playing days.
Betting guide
Score prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United (Sky Bet odds: 9/1)
It is quite surprising to see the visitors at nearly 2/1 for the win and a straight result is worth considering for your stake. Both sides are expected to make changes from their Premier League XIs, but they should still be strong. It is expected that Solskjaer's team will have more senior pros coming in than Arsenal, experienced fringe players keen to take their chance under the Norwegian.
Best bet: Man United to score 2+ goals at 11/10 (Coral, Sky Bet)
Backing the visitors in a draw no bet at evens was tempting, but goals are expected in an away victory for this one. Arsenal's defence remains unconvincing under Emery and United have scored two or more in all but one of Solskjaer's seven games in charge so far. A shorter price with bigger stakes worth considering is Man United in a +1 handicap at general odds of 8/15, but the 2+ goals market is the preference here.
RequestABet: Man United to win, Alexis Sanchez to get an assist, 5+ Man United corners
Gary Neville EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal v Man United FA Cup thoughts
Opta facts
- There have been 14 previous FA Cup ties between Arsenal and Man United, eliminating each other seven times apiece (including final victories). Neither side have been knocked out by another more often in the competition’s history.
- This is only the third time Arsenal have hosted Man Utd in the FA Cup – they’ve won the previous two matches, winning 5-0 in January 1937 and 2-1 in February 1988.
- Arsenal have gone on to win the FA Cup in the previous three seasons they’ve knocked out Manchester United – 2002-03 in the fifth round, 2004-05 in the final and 2014-15 in the quarter-final.
- Manchester United have only lost one of their last 14 FA Cup fourth round ties, losing against Liverpool in 2011-12.
- Arsenal have won 12 of their last 13 FA Cup matches against fellow Premier League sides (L1), with their defeat in that time coming at home against Watford in 2015-16.
- Man Utd’s Juan Mata has been involved in 11 goals in 10 FA Cup starts against Premier League opposition (3 goals, 8 assists).
- There has been a red card awarded in five of the last eight FA Cup games between Arsenal and Man Utd – three for Arsenal (Nelson Vivas in April 1999, Jose Reyes in May 2005, Emmanuel Eboue in February 2008) and two for Man Utd (Roy Keane in April 1999, Angel Di Maria in March 2015).
Odds correct at 1700 GMT (24/01/19)
