Manchester United vs. Arsenal: 10 Things To Expect at Old Trafford

We are only two games into the Premier League season but the big guns are already squaring up.

Manchester United welcomes Arsenal to Old Trafford on Sunday in what should be a very interesting clash.

United is coming of its demolition of Tottenham at Old Trafford, while Arsenal officially stamped its entry into the Champions League with a victory in Italy over Udinese.

Both teams will be high on confidence but their is no mistaking who is the stronger team at the moment.

Although the tie as a whole has lost some luster because of Arsenal's failures to keep up with the Red Devils, there is still a number of things one can expect from this game.

Not all these things relate to action on the field, nonetheless they are very likely to happen.

Here are the 10 things to expect at Old Trafford this Sunday!

Goals To Be Scored

Manchester United may have taken until the second half to score against Tottenham in its last game, but they were the better team throughout, and in this form they can certainly score on any team.

Arsenal players seem to have found their shooting boots in Italy, tallying two goals for the first time this season, and it is likely that players like Walcott and Van Persie will go to Old Trafford with confidence.

With a youthful central pairing for Manchester United and an injury laden Gunners defense, goals are sure to come.

A Dodgy Decision from the Referee

We all hope it doesn't happen, but the big games almost always bring out the worst in the referees.

There is sure to be one decision during this game that will probably have a significant impact on the outcome.

It is unfortunate that world football has seen such an increase in big refeering blunders, especially in big games, but there is a high possibility of this happening at Old Trafford.

Thomas Vermaelen Will Be a Force in Defense

Thomas Vermaelen is Arsenal's best defender, period.

So far this season he has shown his quality, and he is the main reason why Arsenal's defense has performed so admirably so far.

With the team facing its toughest offensive challenge yet, expect Vermaelen to put on a defensive masterclass and marshal his team's defensive line.

A Major Mistake in the Gunners' Defense

While Thomas Vermaelen will be putting in a massive effort to stop the Manchester United juggernaut, someone in the defense will do their best to undo all that work.

Of course there are other dependables like Sagna, and that is about it, but anyone else, maybe even those two themselves, could fall prey to a major mistake.

The defense has avoided a major catastrophe so far this season, but facing the likes of Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Nani and so on, it is very likely this may be the game it happens.

Young Goalkeepers Showing Their Talents

David De Gea may have had a rough start to life in England but he still has quality, and with his first clean sheet in the bag, he will have confidence too.

Then again De Gea still fluffed massively on one cross in the Tottenham game, and he could very well make a mistake in this game.

In this case I am counting on quality shining through, and there is no better game than against Arsenal to fully regain your teammates' faith.

Wojciech Szceseny also has a ways to go but, if there are still doubters, he continues to prove them wrong.

He has been solid so far this season, and a penalty save against Di Natale yesterday kept his team in the game and would surely give him great confidence heading into this matchup.

A Red Card

Arsenal has an impressive record in the Premier league so far where red cards are concerned and may well make it three for three this weekend.

The Manchester United faithful, and the players, will try to rattle any young player that appears for the Gunners.

There is a fair share of hotheads on the Red Devils side as well, meaning it is very likely that somebody could end up with an early shower.

A Bit of Playacting

Playacting (diving) has become almost synonymous with the game and, while it is not as prevalent in the EPL as it is in La Liga or the Serie A, it is still a possibility.

There is no telling who will take an easy fall in a big game like this, but it is a possibility from players on either side.

It could very well be the cause of the dodgy referee decision as well.

Managers and Their Props

Bring out the chewing gum for Sir Alex, and the water bottle for Monsieur Wenger.

Sir Alex may begin chewing a bit faster if things don't go as expected on the day, and Wenger will have his water bottle ready to smash on the sidelines if things don't go as planned.

Clever Manchester United Chants

Clever may be an overstatement, but the chants are likely to ring throughout the stadium, especially if Manchester United is in control throughout.

Odds of chants about Samir Nasri, and Wenger's kiddie philosophy are high and here is one that should be a definite for Red Devils faithfuls should they be dominant.

Taking one of Arsenal's best chants of the last few years and using it against them, the Manchester United fans could state the obvious.

Where is Cesc Fabregas?

Where is Cesc Fabregas?

Where is Cesc Fabregas?

Where is Cesc Fabregas?

Arsenal fans should know the melody, and Manchester United fans probably will too, making it all the more fun for them.

A Manchester United Win

All kidding aside, there is one thing that can be expected on this list for certain. A Manchester United win.

Arsenal will be without its two defensive midfielders, Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong, and that does not bode well for the outcome.

That, coupled with Manchester United's ominous form surely puts the odds of a win in favor of the Red Devils