Manchester United can repeat Arsenal trick to rebuild squad in next transfer window

If there is one significant date still circled in Manchester United's calendar this season it is April 23 and a clash to the Emirates Stadium that they simply can't afford to lose. United's hopes of finishing in the top four are hanging by a thread at the moment and they need to be close to perfect until that trip to Arsenal to have a chance of reeling in Mikel Arteta's side.

A trio of games against Leicester City, Everton and Norwich City have to yield maximum points, before a trip to Anfield four days before the Emirates which looks extremely daunting. The good news for United is that Arsenal also play that midweek and it is an equally difficult fixture, away at Chelsea 24 hours later.

Given the record of Arteta's side this season, United would love to have somehow climbed back above them by the Saturday lunchtime when they go head-to-head.

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Arsenal's games in hand are difficult and their 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday took their record against the three teams above them in the league to played five lost five. What they have done is take points off the teams below them, with their other 22 fixtures producing all of their 51 points.

What was particularly interesting at the Emirates on Wednesday was the unity between fans and team. Ultimately it was another defeat against a better team for Arsenal, but it was still accompanied by the sense that this was a young team heading in the right direction and their application and performances are being appreciated by supporters who had been accustomed to seeing their most expensive recruits underperform.

In that, perhaps there is a lesson for United heading into a summer that once again falls under the tag of