Manchester United vs Arsenal preview - Rooney misses out for United

Posted Saturday, May 16, 2015 by PA

Captain Wayne Rooney will miss Manchester United's final home game of the season against Arsenal on Sunday with a dead leg.

Vice-captain Michael Carrick (calf), defender Luke Shaw (head), and midfielder Andreas Pereira (international duty) are unavailable while centre-back Jonny Evans is a doubt with an unspecified injury.

Right-back Rafael is unlikely to play despite overcoming a rib injury. Defender Marcos Rojo (adductor), striker Robin van Persie and midfielder Angel di Maria (both illness) are available after overcoming their respective problems.

There is a chance that Shaw and Rooney may also miss the final game of the season at Hull.

"We have only one match to play (after Arsenal) so I think it shall be difficult that they play before the end of the season," boss Louis Van Gaal told MUTV.

If United draw against Arsenal, or Liverpool drop points against Palace, Van Gaal's men will qualify for the Champions League this weekend.

Even if United lose and Liverpool win, there would have to be a big swing in goal difference for the Reds to leapfrog their old rivals into fourth.

Knowing United are all but guaranteed to qualify for the Champions League, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward spoke of his "delight" at Van Gaal's first year in charge this week.

Van Gaal is satisfied at having brought Champions League football back to Old Trafford following a year out of the competition.

He said: "The goal was (to finish) in the first four positions, and we have reached that already two games before the end of the season - it's not bad, I think."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has no doubts Manchester United will come back stronger next season, but is confident his squad can also match all of their Barclays Premier League rivals.

The Gunners head to Old Trafford on Sunday two points ahead of United and out to cement automatic qualification for the Champions League group stages.

Finishing third would, statistically at least, represent an improvement for Arsenal, who hold a game in hand, and could retain the FA Cup if they beat Aston Villa at Wembley on May 30.

Wenger, though, knows full well none of the title hopefuls can afford to stand still as they look to sustain a much-improved effort to reel in runaway champions Chelsea in 2015/2016.

"We feel we have made progress, but we have a good opportunity to show that on Sunday because in every game that is questioned," said Wenger, whose side were beaten 1-0 at home by Swansea on Monday night - a first league defeat since February 7.

"That is what is at stake until the end of the season, to show that we can be stronger next year.

"We made 79 points last year, that was quite a good total, but it was not enough to finish in the top three.

"Only one thing shows you have made progress and that is the continuity in your performances, and that you have a good level of cohesion.

"Since January we have produced consistent performances and we have also been very strong away from home, and again on Sunday we have an opportunity to show that we have made progress."