Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho faces big selection decisions before Arsenal visit... Paul Pogba's midfield partner could be key

• e-mail

Justin Timberlake’s SexyBack was crowned No 1 days before Manchester United last lost a Premier League match at home to Arsenal.

That is a decade ago now, Emmanuel Adebayor with the only goal at Old Trafford in September 2006. Bringing Paul Pogba back was this summer’s priority - complete with *that* hashtag, one which would not look out of place in the Top 20 - yet his reintroduction to English football has not been easy.

There are certain mitigating factors to that - age, weight of expectation thanks to the world-record fee - but there is no escaping Jose Mourinho has endured midfield problems as a by-product.

Manchester United have to choose who partners Paul Pogba in midfield against Arsenal

Pogba impressed in United's last game against Swansea and scored a brilliant goal 

Jose Mourinho must decide if Michael Carrick (left) or Ander Herrera join Pogba in midfield

Absolutely no case can be made for not starting Pogba when Arsenal arrive in the North West on Saturday lunchtime. His manager still has huge decisions to make in the middle of the park, chiefly whether Michael Carrick or Ander Herrera partners the Frenchman.

Or perhaps both, with Pogba further forward. There is also an argument for Mourinho to mix his tactics up this weekend - and not just because of added protection for Pogba or Arsenal’s free-scoring. Their rotten injury luck means the back four is not even close to first choice and with Alexis Sanchez probably fit and firing, United need to be pragmatic.

Mourinho knows this is must not lose - defeat would widen the gap to nine points - and could therefore be tempted to tinker.

The growing clamour for Carrick to start more games could well see the 35-year-old sit in front of a potential defensive pairing of Phil Jones and Daley Blind as an extra screen, mindful of Arsenal’s runners from midfield but without curbing the hosts’ attacking threat. Pep Guardiola has played 4-1-4-1 this season and not been pillared.

Mourinho has plenty of decisions to make over the next two days and Sportsmail looks at his options.

Mourinho could choose to partner both with Pogba, but also has selctions to make in defence

DEFENCE

It’s slim pickings in there at the moment. Chris Smalling is out for a month with a broken toe, while Eric Bailly will not be back until the festive period after sustaining a knee problem.

Antonio Valencia is battling back from a broken arm far quicker than expected yet Saturday might be too soon, which would see Matteo Darmian fill in, although there is a desire among fans to see Timothy Fosu-Mensah be given a go.

Fosu-Mensah was United’s star performer during the lacklustre Europa League victory over Zorya in September.

Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly will be notable absentees from the heart of United's defence

Mourinho has told Luke Shaw he is desperate for him to regain fitness ahead of the weekend and the left back was working overtime last week to prove he can make it back.

Shaw was criticised by the manager for not making himself available against Swansea but United want their premier full back in the XI. 

Without him, Marcos Rojo is likely to start again. That could even be at centre half if Blind fails to regain his place, with Ashley Young then likely to be on the left.

Mourinho is desperate for left-back Luke Shaw to regain fitness in time for the weekend 

MIDFIELD

The Carrick, Pogba, Herrera axis worked in the EFL Cup win over Manchester City last month and there is no reason why it cannot again. Whether Marouane Fellaini makes it is touch and go, while a certain amount of intrigue surrounds who operates out wide.

Juan Mata has been steady for Mourinho this season, while Jesse Lingard came back from that public rebuke following defeat by City brilliantly. Anthony Martial’s threat lies in bursting in behind his man. Marcus Rashford, too, excels on the left.

The assumption is that Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be part of the XI - quite the shock if he is - and there are holes up front which Rashford could and should plug.

The assumption is that Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be part of the XI against Arsenal 

Anthony Martial will fancy his chances if lined up against Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson

Martial and Lingard would certainly represent speed on the flanks and offer Mourinho the chance to play on the break, whereas Mata’s inclusion dictates enjoying more of the ball. It could be the Portuguese feels Arsenal are softer when hit at pace.

One thing is for sure, someone like Martial’s eyes will have widened on Thursday morning when news broke that Hector Bellerin is not fit. Carl Jenkinson does not have quite the same aura.

STRIKERS

No Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Maybe it will be a blessing for United, with the Swede having struggled before that win in South Wales, from a game you cannot draw too many meaningful conclusions from given the opposition’s plight.

So, Wayne Rooney or Rashford? Rooney is in contention to play but has been nursing a ‘minor’ knee knock this week. Then there are those photographs published in The Sun, which cannot have pleased his manager.

Mourinho is thought to be obviously disappointed but United sources pointed towards the incident happening seven days before their next game.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not spearhead United's attack - he has a one-game  suspension to serve

Marcus Rashford (left) scored twice as United beat Arsenal 3-2 at Old Trafford last season

Still, whether his body can withstand starting against Arsenal is up for much debate. Arsene Wenger is definitely uneasy about the prospect of facing Rashford, who scored his first league goals against the Gunners in this fixture earlier in the year.

‘The guy who killed us last year was Rashford,’ Wenger said on Thursday. ‘I watched him against a Danish team in midweek [before their game last season] and he scored and I thought this guy could be dangerous.

‘His movement was good and he was strong. He took everyone by surprise.’