Prof will need positive approach

I’M not sure what Fergie will have learned from his presence at Sunday’s stroll in the sunshine. I’m assuming he was only paying a visit to our place, en route to donning his penguin suit for the PFA Awards.

Yet I doubt he was left any the wiser as to the Gunners line-up at Old Trafford tonight, by a game which, to my mind, really only stood as testament to the disappointing amount of fight left in Gareth Southgate’s side.

In the absence of Van Persie, Arsène might fancy the goal threat posed by Fabregas, playing in the more advanced role. Yet Cesc might not find Manchester United’s defence nearly so accommodating as Boro. On the basis that we’re likely to have a better chance of outscoring United than keeping a clean sheet, I’d love to see us go for it, with a more offensive 4-4-2 formation. But le gaffer is hardly known for his gung-ho qualities and I guess we can expect the Gunners to line-up with a lone striker.