Manchester United stars make trip to London ahead of clash with Arsenal as Jose Mourinho's men look to maintain pressure on Manchester City

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Manchester United made the journey down south to London on Friday afternoon ahead of their tough test against Arsenal at the Emirates.

Jose Mourinho and his star-studded squad were pictured arriving at Stockport railway station as they made the trip to the English capital in the breezy conditions. 

And the Old Trafford outfit, who wrapped up warm for their travels, appeared in full focus on the eve of their Premier League encounter with Arsenal as they look to maintain pressure on leaders Manchester City.

Marcus Rashford and his Manchester United team-mates made the trip to London on Friday

Paul Pogba sipped on a warm drink ahead of the club's journey from Stockport to London 

Romelu Lukaku and David de Gea appeared in a focused mood as they made the journey south

The Red Devils currently sit eight points adrift of their rivals City in the top flight ahead of the highly anticipated Manchester derby at Old Trafford next weekend.

However, Mourinho will be without Eric Bailly, Marouane Fellaini and Phil Jones for Saturday evening's clash at the Emirates, while Nemanja Matic is also a doubt.

Bailly and Jones have not featured for United since their 1-0 defeat by Chelsea on November 5 after picking up injuries on international duty. 

Furthermore, Fellaini missed the club's 4-2 win over Watford with a knee injury, while Matic limped off with a muscle problem at Vicarage Road. 

United head to the capital on a run of four defeats and three draws in seven games away to their main rivals, scoring just once and conceding nine. 

Jose Mourinho will be looking to get one over long-term foe Arsene Wenger on Saturday

Nemanja Matic travelled with the squad on Friday despite being a major doubt for the clash

After receiving criticism for his pragmatic approach against United's Premier League rivals, Mourinho has insisted that his side will attack and defend with conviction.

The 54-year-old said: 'When we have the ball we are going to attack with 11 players because the goalkeeper knows what to do when we have the ball and when Arsenal have the ball we will defend with 11. 

'It depends with what you think about risk. I think in the beginning of football, the guy who decides to say defenders and attackers, this guy was bad. Because everybody has to defend and attack, especially in modern football.

'So for me you can say what you want, my goalkeeper needs to know what to do when his team has the ball, how to attack, and my striker needs to know how to defend and what to do, this is simple, for me is simple.' 

Chris Smalling shares a laugh with Matteo Darmian as they prepare to board their train

Luke Shaw and his United team-mates wait on the platform at Stockport railway station