Arsenal did well to overcome Udinese in the Champions League qualifier, but this challenge is likely to expose the limitations of a squad still desperately in need of new players. Doubts over the fitness of Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny are also a grave concern, with no experienced alternatives available. United have won six of their last seven meetings with Arsenal at Old Trafford in all competitions, conceding just two goals, and were rampant in the second half against Tottenham on Monday night. Kevin McCarra

Venue Old Trafford, Sunday 4pm

Tickets Sold out

Last season Manchester Utd 2 Arsenal 0

Referee Howard Webb

This season's matches 1 Y6, R1, 7.00 cards per game

Odds Manchester Utd 8-15 Arsenal 13-2 Draw 7-2

Manchester United v Arsenal: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic

Manchester United

Subs from Amos, Kuszczak, Evans, Owen, Anderson, Berbatov, Giggs, Park, Hernández, Carrick, Fábio, Valencia, Macheda, Gibson, Diouf

Doubtful Ferdinand (hamstring), Fletcher (virus)

Injured Vidic (calf, 24 Sep), Rafael (shoulder, Nov)

Suspended None

Form guide WW

Disciplinary record Y3 R0

Leading scorer Rooney 2

Arsenal

Subs from Almunia, Fabianski, Miquel, Traoré, Eastmond, Lansbury, Chamakh, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Miyaichi, Bendtner

Doubtful Koscielny (back), Vermaelen (ankle)

Injured Gibbs (hamstring, 10 Sep), Squillaci (calf, 10 Sep) Wilshere (ankle, 22 Sep), Diaby (ankle, Oct)

Suspended Frimpong (one match), Gervinho (second of three), Song (second of three)

Form guide LD

Disciplinary record Y7 R2

Leading scorer n/a

Match pointers

• Howard Webb has awarded United a penalty in five of the last 10 games he has officiated at Old Trafford

• If Arsenal do not score, it will be the first time since 1953-54 that they have failed to find the net in their first three league games

• Danny Welbeck's last five league goals have all been scored with his head

• Arsenal's current run of 13 points from 13 Premier League games is their worst with Arsène Wenger as manager

• United have the best shooting accuracy (58% on target) in the division