🚨 “We’ve uncovered their secret—Arsenal punished us the last time, but this time, we’ve worked tirelessly to address it, and I’m confident we’ll succeed. People have been mocking us, calling Manchester United a finished club, but behind the scenes, we’ve been putting in the work to restore this team to its former glory. We made a statement against Liverpool, and now we’re ready to show Arsenal why we’re called the RED DEVILS!” Rasmus Højlund reveals Manchester United’s carefully crafted strategy to take down Arsenal in their FA Cup showdown! 😱 After the bitter December defeat, the Reds have honed in on key weaknesses to turn the tide at the Emirates.

Manchester United are gearing up for a tough FA Cup third-round match against Arsenal in North London this Sunday afternoon. As the current champions, United are keen to begin their title defense with a solid performance, but they face a daunting challenge in Mikel Arteta’s side.

United claimed the FA Cup in May 2024 under Erik ten Hag, thanks to memorable goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo at Wembley. However, the club has seen managerial changes since that triumph, with Rúben Amorim replacing Ten Hag in October 2024. While Amorim’s start has been marked by mixed outcomes, signs of progress within the team have offered optimism.

The two clubs last squared off in December at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal emerged victorious with two well-executed set-piece goals. That loss exposed United’s frailty in defending set-pieces, an area where Arsenal consistently excels. Despite this setback, United’s away performances against top teams have garnered respect.

United striker Rasmus Højlund has stressed the need for improvement in set-piece defense ahead of this encounter. Reflecting on their previous meeting, he remarked on the significance of learning from past mistakes:

“This is a tough draw for the opening round, especially away from home, but we’re determined to give our all. The Emirates is special to me—I made my debut there. It’s a great stadium, and Arsenal are a tough opponent, but I’m excited about the challenge. Our recent experience there will help, but it’s all about executing our game plan. We need to be sharper defending set-pieces since they punished us last time. That’s been a key focus during training.”

Manager Rúben Amorim has also prioritized set-piece defense in the team’s preparations. He discussed the specific areas of focus in training:

“This week, we’ve worked on transitions, maintaining control in possession, and defending crosses and set-pieces. While we managed Liverpool’s corners well recently, Arsenal’s set-piece quality is a different challenge. The players are improving their decision-making and game management, which are critical for these high-stakes matches.”

Arsenal’s strength in physical and set-piece situations is well-known, making United’s defensive discipline vital. With Amorim having had more time to implement his strategies, fans are hopeful for a more organized and resilient performance than their previous outing at the Emirates.

Sunday’s FA Cup clash promises to be a thrilling contest. United must stay focused and determined to secure their place in the next round of the competition.