Shoot man! Marouane Fellaini is slid through by Chris Smalling and can surely get a shot away on his left foot, but he comes inside though and the chance has gone.

Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney - likely to be England's front two under Roy Hodgson later this month? - have had three touches each so far. The fewest on the pitch.

Alexis Sanchez has had 12.

Nervy start from Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin! He's already been booked and a terrible touch on the halfway line almost lets in Luke Shaw on the counter. Bellerin can't touch him or he's off, and he needs reinforcements to scramble back quickly.

Phil Neville
BBC Radio 5 live

"When I was speaking to the supporters outside the ground, they were looking forward to a United-Arsenal contest of the past. But, I look out there and I don't see any tough tacklers like there used to be, I see a lot of technical players instead."

Danny Murphy
BBC One

"It's been a bit nervy from Arsenal's defence - one needless free-kick, one needless corner. I still find it strange that Wayne Rooney is still taking free-kicks - he's a goal scorer."

We need more away fans at Premier League games. The atmosphere is miles better tonight than most at Old Trafford.

That's not a very popular opinion, I would imagine, but I'm sticking with it.

Arsenal's out ball so far is to Alexis Sanchez on the left.

Manchester United win a corner, load it up! Danny Welbeck is dragged back to help out but it's Wayne Rooney who meets the ball on the volley. He tries to hook it across goal but it runs right across the face of the goalmouth.

Arsenal can't get out, they left nobody up and United keep the ball.

Image source, Getty Images

Francis Coquelin took a bash to the nose a few moments ago and he needs some treatment, he'll be OK though. Good cut and thrust to the opening stages, both sides looking to get the ball forwards.

Phil Neville
BBC Radio 5 live

"That's put Hector Bellerin under some real pressure now and you've got to stay on the ground in circumstances like that, especially in the first five minutes."

A very early booking! Hector Bellerin is rash, very rash, on Ashley Young and chops him down. Sunday League stuff from the Arsenal youngster.

Phil Neville
BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

"That was a good opportunity there for Alexis Sanchez. He cut inside and tried to bend it in to the top corner and there was some indecision there from Chris Smalling."

Image source, Getty Images

Alexis Sanchez running at Antonio Valencia? Total mismatch.

The Arsenal forward glides past the United right-back and gets a shot away. It is blocked by a red shirt and it could go anywhere. It rolls fortuitously into the arms of David De Gea. Almost first blood Arsenal.

The excellent 1999 semi-final is referenced by a chant about Patrick Vieira from the Stretford End as Nacho Monreal runs out of turf in their first attack down the left. Good tempo so far.

Phil Neville
Former Manchester United defender on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

"In the past Arsenal have always come to this stadium in great form and they've always been a massive let down. Let's see if they can prove me wrong this evening."

Angel Di Maria starts wide on the right and is found very early on. Early Manchester United possession.

Arsenal, in a deeper shade of blue, get us under way...

Alistair Wiseman: Giroud benched = Wenger prioritising a cup he can't win (CL) & league he can't win, over a cup he can retain. I find this disgusting

Man Utd: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw, Ander Herrera, Blind, Di Maria, Fellaini, Young, Rooney. Subs: Da Silva, Jones, Mata, Falcao, Januzaj, Carrick, Valdes.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Sanchez, Welbeck. Subs: Gibbs, Giroud, Walcott, Ramsey, Chambers, Martinez, Akpom.

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)

We want plenty of intensity tonight Roy. The sides enter to the Rocky fanfare, it sounds like a wonderful atmosphere at Old Trafford. Showpiece occasion. Showpiece performances?

Roy Keane
Match of the Day, BBC Sport

"It's great to look back at the clips, great memories of some great games. It was such a clash of characters in the contests. In those days, you knew if you got a result against Arsenal, you had a chance of winning a title.

"I think these days, these games are just lacking that bit of intensity."