Limping United facing tough task against Gunners

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will delve into the depths of his squad for its visit to Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, as an injury crisis engulfs Old Trafford.

So often it has been Arsene Wenger cursing his luck after key players have been injured ahead of big matches, but this time it is United which could be missing up to 12 squad players, including goalkeeper David De Gea, at Emirates Stadium.

United is exposed at the back, and with four first-team defenders possibly missing, van Gaal might have to call up teenagers Patrick McNair and Tyler Blackett to keep former teammate Danny Welbeck at bay.

England striker Welbeck has been in fine form since his $25.06 million move to Arsenal in September, scoring 10 goals for club and country.

Arsenal suffered two disappointing results before the international break, letting leads slip to draw 3-3 at home to Anderlecht in the Champions League and going down 2-1 at Swansea City in the league.

"We have two games against Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund at home and if we get the crowd with us from the start, and get the results, then it will be a very different story again," Gunners captain Mikel Arteta said.

Arsenal is currently sixth in the standings with 17 points; United a place behind with one point less.

Leader Chelsea hosts West Bromwich Albion earlier on Saturday looking to extend its four-point lead on second-placed Southampton, which visits Aston Villa on Monday.

Beleaguered Liverpool, in 11th after taking a paltry 14 points from its opening 11 games, visits struggling Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Brendan Rodgers' team will have painful memories of relinquishing a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Selhurst Park last season as the title slipped away from it.

That draw proved costly for the evenutual runner-up, but a win at the same ground this season would provide a timely boost.

Fifth-placed Swansea City visits stuttering champion Manchester City on Saturday, while fourth-placed West Ham United faces a difficult trip to Everton.