Mark Lawrenson: How Jose Mourinho will look at Arsenal v Man United clash

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho Photo: The Sport Review

Mark Lawrenson believes Jose Mourinho will be content with a point from Manchester United’s trip to in-form Arsenal in the Premier League.

The Red Devils will make the trip to the Emirates Stadium in the top flight on Saturday evening in search of a fourth successive Premier League win.

Manchester United eased to victories over Newcastle United and Brighton Hove and Albion before Tuesday night’s 4-2 win over Watford at Vicarage Road.

Raheem Sterling’s dramatic winner for Manchester City in a 2-1 win over Southampton restored the leaders’ eight-point lead at the top of the table.

The Gunners have won all of their seven Premier League games at the Emirates Stadium this term, although Tottenham Hotspur have been the only top-six side to make the trip to Arsenal.

In fact, Arsene Wenger’s men have won their last 13 top-flight fixtures at The Emirates, including a 2-0 win over Mourinho’s Manchester United side back in May.

The Red Devils boss can ill-afford to see his side fall any further behind Manchester City, while Mourinho’s men are under pressure to play expansive football following criticism of his pragmatic approach over the past 18 months.

However, former Liverpool defender Lawrenson doesn’t expect Mourinho to change his Manchester United tactics to appease his critics.

“United are on a good run too of course, but it is the sort of fixture where you look at the way Arsenal are playing and think Jose Mourinho would take a point,” Lawrenson told BBC Sport.

“That is what I think he will play for and I don’t think Mourinho will care if a draw means Manchester City extend their lead at the top of the table.

“He will look at this game in isolation, and see a point as a good result.”

Manchester United finished in sixth place last term.

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