Premier League preview: Manchester United v Arsenal

With top spot in the Premier League up for grabs, expect fireworks when old foes Manchester United and Arsenal clash at Old Trafford on Monday.

Arsenal are a point clear of United on the table after their 2-1 win at home over Fulham on Saturday, and they continued their good form on Wednesday with a 3-1 victory over Partizan Belgrade to secure a berth in the last 16 of the Champions League.

United are in second place, but have a game in hand over the Gunners after their fixture against Blackpool on Saturday was called off due to a frozen pitch.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have been up and down of late, with their 7-1 home rout of Blackburn followed by an indifferent performance in their 4-0 Carling Cup quarter-final loss to West Ham at Upton Park, although that result was with an under-strength side.

On Tuesday, United were held to a 1-1 draw in the Champions League by Valencia and in the process conceded their first goal at home in European competition this season.

Both managers have fitness concerns ahead of Monday’s game, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger expecting to be without midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby.

Fabregas has been out of action with a hamstring strain he picked up while on Champions League duty against Braga last month, while Diaby has been sidelined with an ankle injury since his side’s 5-1 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk in October.

Emmanuel Eboue and Thomas Vermaelen are also out for Arsenal, as is long-term casualty Emmanuel Frimpong who is still recovering from a serious knee injury.

The news is better at Old Trafford, with Ferguson expecting central defender Rio Ferdinand to be fit after he was forced off just after half-time with a tight hamstring in the game against Valencia.

Paul Scholes is still doubtful, however, as he continues to struggle with a groin injury suffered on Champions League duty against Rangers last month.

Owen Hargreaves is still out with a hamstring injury, although Michael Owen should be getting close to a return from his hamstring complaint.