Manchester United moved up to fifth in the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Arsenal.
Manchester United moved up to fifth in the Premier League with an excellent 3-1 win over table-toppers Arsenal.
In his toughest challenge yet, Erik ten Hag’s side remained mostly unchanged after a couple of successful outings. The only change to the lineup saw Anthony Elanga dropping down to the bench to make way for the long-awaited debut of Antony
United started the game lively and Diogo Dalot skipped through the Arsenal defence but his cut-back did not find a man.
Straight up at the other end of the pitch, Lisandro Martinez fouled Gabriel Jesus to award
Arsenal the first free-kick of the game. It was defended and cleared easily by Manchester United.
Scott McTominay won the ball back brilliantly from Gabriel Jesus with a strong tackle but the play was stopped for a head injury.
Christian Eriksen was pushed off the ball by Odegaard in the midfield just before the quarter-hour mark, allowing Arsenal to attack at the United goal. Gabriel Martinelli floated the ball into the back of the net past De Gea, although the goal was disallowed with Odegaard’s challenge being deemed as a foul.
As Arsenal started to take control of the game, United burst forward on a possible counter-attack but Jadon Sancho was fouled to give William Saliba the first booking.
Soon after, Sambi Lokonga fouled Bruno Fernandes in a very dangerous challenge, with his studs up against Fernandes’ calf - no foul or card was given.
At the 30-minute mark, David De Gea was forced to make a save at his near post as Martinelli’s low shot got past Dalot’s challenge.
A spectacular piece of play from Manchester United started with Christian Eriksen feeding the ball into Bruno Fernandes who was fouled. Great use of the advantage from the referee allowed Marcus Rashford to find Antony in acres of space who curled one into the far side of the goal from just outside of the six-yard box. A dream debut for the Brazilian, who made it 1-0 to United with 10 minutes of the half remaining!
After three minutes of injury time, the first half came to a close. United spent a lot of time absorbing pressure from Arsenal but United were clinical with their chances and went into the dressing room with a one-goal advantage.
Half time - Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal
Arsenal had all the possession as the second half started to pick up and United were holding the fort well. Several opportunities for Arsenal to score included a sliced shot from Odegaard and a shot from Saka which skimmed the far post.
The Gunners were playing some good football in the first ten minutes of the second half but they could not capitalise on their chances with one cross from Saka bouncing off the crossbar. United needed to come back into the game.
Antony was replaced by Cristiano Ronaldo in the 57th minute after a fantastic debut.
After repeatedly pressing the United defence, Arsenal equalised on the hour mark after a failed clearance led to Bukayo Saka in front of the goal, slotting the ball through Martinez’s legs.
A needle-threading pass from Bruno Fernandes found Marcus Rashford through on goal six minutes later, one on one with Ramsdale, and the England international buries it with help from a slight deflection making it 2-1 to United.
United’s second substitution had Fred come into the game, with Jadon Sancho making way for him.
Ramsdale slipped up and cleared the ball into Fred’s feet but covered his tracks with a quick save on Fernandes’ attempt to capitalise.
McTominay found himself on the back foot in a tussle with Gabriel Jesus and received a yellow card for wrestling him to the ground.
Christian Eriksen was found in acres of space by Bruno Fernandes, leaving him and Marcus Rashford two-on-one against Ramsdale. Eriksen took the selfless, insurance option and squared it to Rashford who made it 3-1 to United with 15 minutes remaining.
Harry Maguire returned to Premier League action for the final 10 minutes as he was substituted on for Lisandro Martinez who took a slight knock. As well as this, Casemiro took to the pitch as Rashford headed to the bench.
Harry Maguire’s first impression of the game saw him yellow carded for a foul on the edge of the area. A free kick was awarded to Arsenal which did not get past the United wall.
Quickly after, Fred got the better of a mistake from Martinelli but the chance went astray after he struggled to pick out Ronaldo.
Tyrell Malacia calmly collected the ball in the corner of the pitch and was greeted by a clattering challenge from Bukayo Saka, who only received a yellow.
With the match petering out, Christian Eriksen was awarded Sky Sports’ man of the match.
A minimum of four minutes of added time were shown by the fourth official.
United had a late corner after a blocked pass from Bruno Fernandes, although nothing came of it.
The full-time whistle sounded and United had the fourth win in a row and halted Arsenal’s unbeaten run. Erik ten Hag’s reds took advantage of their chances throughout the game and they move up to fifth in the Premier League. Full time - Manchester United 3-1 Arsenal
Originally published for The United Stand.
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