Home and Away | More than just a game as Arsenal clash with Manchester United with everything at stake
The future of Gunners manager Wenger and Old Trafford boss Van Gaal are on the line while once-proud Giggs has his work cut out trying to show that he can succeed Dutchman in the dug-out
The Battle of the Buffet, Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira high-noons, Ryan Giggs’ wonder goal and the Gunners’ worst away defeat are among the classic Manchester United v Arsenal encounters.
Sunday’s showdown should be no different given it could determine the future of three men whose careers and legacies are navigating the twilight zone.
He [Giggs] will this weekend walk out at Old Trafford for the first time in his 28-year club career with a massive question mark hanging over his ability
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is on another salvage mission following the defeat by Barcelona at the Emirates in the Champions League – and only winning the Premier League crown will prevent calls for his overthrow from reigniting so he must leave Old Trafford with three points to maintain pressure on Leicester and Tottenham.
READ MORE: I hope United haven’t been talking to Mourinho behind my back, admits Van Gaal
A precarious day-to-day existence is the new normal for United’s beleaguered Louis van Gaal. He knows the FA and Europa cup wins over lowly opponents count for zilch. A home defeat by one of United’s bitterest domestic rivals might well hasten his exit as well as further dent United’s automatic Champions League quest.
It is Reds legend, player-turned liege in-waiting Ryan Giggs, who has the most at stake, however.
He will this weekend walk out at Old Trafford for the first time in his 28-year club career with a massive question mark hanging over his ability.
The former winger had a rude awakening when a slew of damning surveys showed those United fans who worshipped him as a player do not want him to become the manager of their team.