Arsene could finally put one over Jose

LONDON – Arsene Wenger has probably never had a better chance of finally beating a Jose Mourinho side than when Arsenal visit Old Trafford tomorrow to face a Manchester United team in underwhelming form and ravaged by injuries and suspensions.

The Frenchman has never trumped Mourinho in 13 competitive games since they first clashed in 2004 and he has often been the loser off the pitch as well, with Mourinho taunting him about Arsenal’s lack of title success over the past decade.

But Arsenal have a good opportunity to register their first Premier League win at Old Trafford since 2006 when they face a United team that could be without six players, including their first-choice defence.

Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is suspended and centre-halves Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling are injured along with right back Antonio Valencia, who is recovering from surgery on a broken arm.

Ibrahimovic’s absence will give Marcus Rashford the chance to move to his natural position as central striker for the first of four straight United home games in all competitions.

The Old Trafford faithful will be looking for signs that Mourinho is making progress despite a disappointing start to his reign that has left them sixth on the table, six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal and eight adrift of leaders Liverpool.

Wenger’s main injury doubt cleared up on Tuesday when forward Alexis Sanchez showed no ill-effects of a tweaked hamstring after scoring twice for Chile in a 3-1 comeback win over Uruguay.

For once, Arsenal, who had 11 other players on full international duty last week, will be confident of winning on a ground where Wenger has often emerged an angry second best.

Liverpool travel to Southampton with a major doubt over their former Saints midfielder Adam Lallana, who suffered a groin injury after scoring a penalty for England in their 2-2 friendly draw with Spain on Tuesday.

However, such are coach Jurgen Klopp’s attacking options, that he will be confident of extending a run that has brought 14 goals in four games.

Arsenal face a United team that could be without six players

Fixtures (5pm unless stated) Tomorrow: