Whether Arsene Wenger continues his managerial career is something that only he will know, one thing that is for sure is that we are set to see the last ever Premier League duel between both him and his old adversary Jose Mourinho.
Old Trafford is the setting on Sunday for one final English top-flight duel between these two protagonists and although this fixture does not have the same intensity as it did a decade or so ago, there is still no love lost between these two clubs.
There is not a great deal to play for in terms of league placing with both United and Arsenal’s fate already decided. The former are just a win away from making mathematically sure of a top four finish and another appearance in the Champions League.
While the latter are resigned to another finish behind both their London based rivals Tottenham and Chelsea. As things stands it looks like the Gunners will have to make do with another season in the Europa League especially after events at the Emirates on Thursday night.
They played host to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Europa League Semi-final clash and with the visitors being reduced to 10 men after just nine minutes, it gave the North London outfit a huge advantage.
One it looked like they were going to make full use of when Alexander Lacazette scored on the hour, but as good as they were for the first 80 minutes one moment of defensive madness has put their hopes of a final appearance in serious jeopardy.
Antoine Griezamann beat a poorly set offside trap and made a mockery of both Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi to give Diego Simeone’s men a crucial away goal and more importantly turn the tie on its head.
That result means that Arsenal will have to more than likely rest key players for the trip to Old Trafford as this clash with the Red Devils, quite simply ranks second in their list of immediate priorities.
A scenario that plays nicely into Manchester United’s hands and they will come into this game with a whole host of momentum after their F.A. Cup Semi-final win over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend by two goals to one.
United showed plenty of character to come from behind and earn their place in next month’s final, not only that it also showed just how much of a tactical master Jose Mourinho can be, as he got the better of Mauricio Pochettino in the battle of the technical areas.
He has already outfoxed one North London based manager in the past few days and he would love nothing more than to complete the set by getting the better of Arsene Wenger as the Frenchman embarks on another trip on his Arsenal farewell tour.
With United at home and Arsenal focusing on trying to get the better of Atletico Madrid next week then the hosts will certainly be favourites to go on to earn all three points. Forebet predicts that the Red Devils would win this clash as they can also keep a clean sheet.