Michael Carrick v Santi Cazorla
For some, Carrick doesn't quite fit into the United model - and at times over his career he has looked like he might be on the verge of a move away from Old Trafford, but he has enjoyed a resurgence in the past year or so, and he is now a key player in United's midfield. In the absence of a new defensive midfield signing - which Sir Alex Ferguson was widely tipped to make this summer - Carrick has shaken off the disappointment of not making England's Euro 2012 squad to cement his position as United's hard-working holding player. Carrick faces probably his toughest task of the season so far in the shape of Arsenal's Santi Cazorla, who has been one of the most impressive new signings this season. He is pacey and tricky, and will usually be at the heart of Arsenal's best attacking play. In the past few weeks, he seems to have lost a touch of form, with a poor performance against QPR followed by an even poorer one in the 0-2 loss to Schalke in the Champions League, but he will still be key to Arsenal's attacks. If United and Carrick can stop Cazorla, they may well find their opponents are easier to contain through the middle.
Possible line-ups:
Manchester United: De Gea, Evra, Ferdinand, Evans, Rafael, Carrick, Cleverley, Young, Valencia, Rooney, Van Persie.
Arsenal: Mannone, Santos, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Sagna, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski, Giroud. What do you think the score will be? Will Van Persie shine in his first game against his former club? Share your thoughts below...