Man Utd edge Arsenal 6-5 in combined XI with Pogba and Partey missing
Manchester United and Arsenal certainly doesn't have the edge it once did when Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira used to lock horns before they'd even stepped onto the pitch but this wekeend's meeting still holds great importance between two sides looking to restore former glories.
In the build-up to the game of the weekend in the Premier League, we have analysed the state of both squads to form an ultimate combined XI based on ratings in all competitions in 2020/21. In order to be considered for a place in the team, only those available on Sunday and with at least six appearances are eligible.
There are some notable absentees. David de Gea has come good in recent matches for United but a poor start to the season up to their 6-1 defeat to Tottenham means the Spaniard misses out to Bernd Leno, who himself has a less-than-impressive WhoScored rating of 6.66 in all competitions. There are perhaps no surprises moving into defence, with Harry Maguire edging David Luiz and Bukayo Saka beating Luke Shaw to a place at left-back.
Midfield is where it gets interesting. The likes of Donny van de Beek, Paul Pogba and Thomas Partey, who you would certainly consider among the best midfielders from the two sides, are missing. Instead, Scott McTominay and Fred, who have really grown in stature in recent games, take up a midfield spot alongside Arsenal's Dani Ceballos.
This isn't to suggest Fred and McTominay are better players than the aforementioned trio, but it's hard to argue against their inclusion based on current form. Fred, for example, earned rave reviews for his performance against RB Leipzig in midweek and was also key in their win over PSG the week before.
Bruno Fernandes unsurprisingly takes up his position as the highest WhoScored rated player across the two squads. The United star ranks top for key passes in the Premier League this season (18) and has played a direct hand in eight goals in as many appearances in all competitions this season. He sits behind a front two of man of the moment Marcus Rashford and Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
