AFTV offered their best combined XI between Manchester United and Arsenal ahead of Sunday’s big clash.
The Red Devils will host their old rivals in one of the most traditional fixtures in English football history at Old Trafford. Sadly for the hosts, they reach this encounter while lying in a miserable 14th place in the Premier League standings. For their part, the Gunners sit second in the table, but they’re 16 points adrift from runaway league leaders Liverpool, albeit with two matches in hand.
But while the North Londoners haven’t been enjoying their best campaign under Mikel Arteta, they remain in a much healthier status than the crumbling United.
Therefore, AFTV pundit Robbie Lyle is so confident with their current squad that he only named one Man United player in a combined XI lineup dominated by Gunners.
Only Bruno Fernandes selected in combined Man Utd & Arsenal XI
The founder of the popular Arsenal fan channel obviously chooses David Raya at the back, as Andre Onana is unlikely to win any selections at this stage. Moreover, the backline is also 100% Gunners, featuring Jurien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Lyle also picked Arsenal’s midfield duo Thomas Partey and Declan Rice in the double-pivot roles, but the only exception was in the attacking-midfielder position, with Bruno Fernandes being the only Man Utd representative.
Would you agree with this Arsenal and Man United combined XI based on this season? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/H3sjREA3AL
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) March 8, 2025
Although he’s not exactly a genuine centre-forward, Kai Havertz was still picked ahead of Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund, while Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka join him on the flanks.
While these selections are made by an Arsenal supporter, even the most devout Man Utd supporter might tend to agree with this lineup, as it’s difficult to make a case for choosing any Red at this stage outside of Fernandes who has been one of the club’s very few beacons of hope, despite receiving constant criticism from Roy Keane.
