Manchester United vs Arsenal: 4 key player battles

4. Benjamin White vs Cristiano Ronaldo

During a Q&A five matches into his Gunners career Benjamin White was asked which team he was most looking forward to playing in the Premier League, and when he was asked why he chose United, he said: “I’d probably say playing against [Cristiano] Ronaldo, you know.”

Asked how he thought he’d fare against him, he responded with a smirk: “I’ll be all right”.

Obviously a bit of fun where he was always going to back himself, everyone knows full well that if Cristiano Ronaldo does score that video is getting clipped up and posted everywhere. Whatever the outcome of Thursday’s game, the battle to come between the two is going to be the most interesting of all.

Ronaldo will surely come back into the fold at Old Trafford and White will play barring some unforeseen injury, so how he goes about handling the 36-year-old is going to be some test.

The biggest concern is aerially. Not because White is weak in the air, merely because Ronaldo is farcically strong in that department. Truth be told, he’s still outstanding in near enough every facet of his game. There is no use in denying how exceptional he still is at putting the ball in the back of the net.

Will he target any one Arsenal defender? Gabriel, just like White, will fancy his chances and the more physically imposing frame of the Brazilian stands as strong of a chance as any at keeping him quiet. He’s pocketed Harry Kane twice. He can keep Ronaldo quiet.

Both central defenders will have their hands full. Any pairing will against Ronaldo, and watching it unfold will be one of the most engrossing aspects of the match.