Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has dropped his prediction for Manchester United against Arsenal at Old Trafford after sending an important warning to Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United return to Premier League action on Sunday, with title challengers Arsenal travelling to the Theatre of Dreams for their crucial league clash.
Erik ten Hag’s men suffered a humiliating Premier League defeat on Monday after Crystal Palace trounced United 4-0 at Selhurst Park.
The Red Devils languish in eighth place in the league table and are three points behind seventh-place Chelsea, who have played one match more than United.
United are out of the race for top four and Erik ten Hag’s side will be without Champions League football for the following campaign.
However, United boss Ten Hag faces an uphill battle to secure any kind of European football for next season in the Red Devils’ final three league matches.
The Premier League club can still end their turbulent season on a potential high note if they can defy the odds and beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final this month.
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Souness on Man Utd struggles
Speaking in his column for The Daily Mail, Graeme Souness insisted that Manchester United “owe” their fans a performance against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
The former Sky Sports pundit argued United should not be thinking about the FA Cup final on 25th May and putting their full focus on their last three league matches.
“After the way they went through the motions against Crystal Palace, United owe their supporters a performance,” he wrote.
“The players are talking of a determination to put in a better display that it could give them confidence building up to the FA Cup final.
“To even be thinking about the FA Cup now is out of order. They should be giving absolutely everything for the final three league games.
“Only if they come off mentally and physically shattered, having had a right go, can they be remotely satisfied.
“It’s not been good enough. Those supporters deserve better – and that’s coming from a Liverpool man.”
Souness talks Man Utd vs Arsenal at Old Trafford
Arsenal face a potential banana skin moment in their Premier League title race against Manchester City.
City returned to the top of the Premier League table on Saturday after Pep Guardiola’s men inflicted a 4-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Pep Guardiola’s side, who are chasing a record fourth consecutive Premier League title, are two points clear of Arsenal with only two league matches remaining.
Arsenal’s hopes of beating City to the league title could be left in ruin if the Gunners are unable to secure all three Premier League points against United.
Speaking on Arsenal’s outing to Old Trafford, Souness claimed that he would “fancy” Mikel Arteta’s men to pick up the win against United.
However, the Liverpool legend warned Erik ten Hag that Arsenal are the type of team that he would “not want to be playing” against now amid their run of form.
“We have seen against Liverpool on two occasions, that United can get lucky so it’s possible they turn up against Arsenal but you would have to fancy Mikel Arteta’s side,” Souness added.
“There are people trying to draw parallels between Arteta’s first two seasons and Erik ten Hag’s but there’s no comparison.
“Arsenal dropped off last year but have obviously learnt a great deal from their experience; they know they need to win every game. You would not want to be playing them now.”