'This is huge' – Nigel Winterburn makes Arsenal vs Man Utd prediction ahead of FA Cup clash

Today at 05:22 AM

Nigel Winterburn has revealed his prediction for the ‘huge’ FA Cup clash between Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United.

Ruben Amorim takes his United side to north London on Sunday afternoon hoping to book a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

In Amorim’s third game in charge in early December, Manchester United were beaten 2-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The form guide suggests another home win – United are just 13th in the Premier League and lost four games in the space of 12 days last month – but they produced their best performance so far under Amorim to hold title favourites Liverpool to a draw last time out.

Arsenal are second in the table as they look to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004 but are not firing on all cylinders, dropping valuable points in the title race at Brighton last weekend and then losing to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup during the week.

Seeing Arsenal beaten by Newcastle at home will certainly give United hope of producing an upset this weekend but Gunners legend Winterburn expects the hosts to prove too strong.

‘I think the FA Cup clash between Arsenal and Manchester United is really important for both teams,’ he told William Hill.

‘But you could say that Arsenal, being second in the Premier League, still have the Carabao Cup and the Champions League to contend with alongside the FA Cup.

‘So, in that sense, this match is bigger for United. That being said, when you're a player, every competition is big. To win these competitions is what players strive for.

‘From Arsenal's point of view, it's crucial for them to stay in the FA Cup and not allow United to get the upper hand. It's a huge match for both sides.

‘You can feel like you’re in a strong position within the league and cup competitions, but if you take your eye off the ball in a cup competition like they did in the Carabao Cup against Newcastle, you can find yourself out of it quickly.

‘Then, the next thing you know, you’re out of the next one too, and things don't look as rosy as they did a few weeks ago.

‘That's the danger for Arsenal right now. They must continue to apply pressure in both the league and the cup.

‘I think this will be an Arsenal victory purely because of the quality their squad holds. But I do think it's going to be a very tight game.

‘From Arsenal’s point of view, they'll be hoping to get some players back from injury, but even with the current squad, I think they're too strong.

‘It'll be a tight match, but I’ll go for 2-1 Arsenal.’

Arsenal face north London rivals Tottenham after this weekend’s FA Cup third-round fixtures, while Manchester United return to Premier League action against bottom-placed Southampton.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.