Emmanuel Petit expects former club Arsenal to claim a comfortable victory against an underperforming Manchester United side in the Premier League at Old Trafford this evening.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side head into the affair having only won five of their last 17 games and will desperately need to improve on performances given against West Ham United and Rochdale.

Arsenal, on the other hand, will be in positive spirits having claimed a late win over Aston Villa ahead of thrashing Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup during the week.

Speaking to Paddy Power ahead of the game, Petit said: "I don't recognise Manchester United any more. They should scare their opponents - they haven't done that for a long time. I'm very surprised about this, because they've been spending so much money.

"Yet the profile of the players is not what United expect - especially when it comes to the fans and former players. remember back in the day when you had to play against United, you always knew you were going out to face the best footballers in the Premier League - and probably in Europe.

"Some of the players at the time were among the best in the world in their position - now I'm wondering: where are those United players with character, who enjoy responsibility? Who play with imagination, creativity, and who have a great mentality on top of that? I used to see that all the time at United. Now, you only ever briefly see the light of the team before it disappears straight away."

The corresponding fixture last season saw an injury-hit United side draw 2-2 with the Gunners in what was a fiery contest at Old Trafford back in December 2018.

Defeat for the home side would leave them languishing in 11th position in the Premier League table, 13 points behind leaders Liverpool.