Nigel Winterburn has shared his thoughts ahead of the highly anticipated FA Cup clash between Arsenal and Manchester United, calling the encounter a “huge” game for both sides.
On Sunday afternoon, Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim will lead his team to the Emirates Stadium, aiming to secure a spot in the fourth round. This marks a chance for redemption, as Amorim’s side was defeated 2-0 at the Emirates in December during his third match in charge.
Arsenal enters the game as second in the Premier League standings, but recent form has been inconsistent. They dropped points in a draw against Brighton and suffered a Carabao Cup loss to Newcastle United earlier this week. However, Manchester United is also struggling, sitting in 13th place in the Premier League and enduring a turbulent December with four defeats in 12 days. Despite their challenges, United showed resilience by holding Liverpool to a draw in their most recent outing.
Speaking to William Hill, Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn emphasized the importance of the match for both teams but pointed out that the stakes may be higher for Manchester United. “This match is bigger for United,” Winterburn explained. “But every competition is crucial for players who aim to win trophies.”
He also noted Arsenal’s need to maintain momentum: “From Arsenal’s point of view, staying in the FA Cup is vital. Losing focus in cup competitions, as seen against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, can derail their confidence and progress.”
Winterburn expects a close contest but ultimately predicts an Arsenal victory due to their superior squad depth. “It’ll be a tight match, but I’ll go for 2-1 Arsenal,” he said, while hoping Arsenal can recover key players from injury.
After the FA Cup, Arsenal will face Tottenham in a crucial north London derby, while Manchester United is set to return to Premier League action against bottom-of-the-table Southampton.
