Manchester United made it 4 wins in a row and dealt Arsenal a primary Premier League defeat of the season on Sunday night.
The first massive second of drama got here as Gabriel Martinelli raced clear on a counter-attack to beat David de Gea, however the aim was chalked off after a pitchside overview for a perceived foul on Christian Eriksen.
The first strike which stood got here on the different finish of the pitch as Marcus Rashford freed Antony and the debutant positioned a textbook end into the nook. That was the tip of the scoring for the primary half however there was way more to get pleasure from after the break.
First Bukayo Saka netted a deserved equaliser from shut vary, however Rashford then twice breached the Gunners’ again line on counter-attacks, firstly ending on the run after which sweeping residence after Eriksen broke clear and squared.
Here are 5 issues we discovered from the sport at Old Trafford.
Antony thrown straight in by Ten Hag
Casemiro has needed to bide his time and Malacia was one other who wanted a end result or two to go towards the Red Devils earlier than coming into the group, however Antony had no such waits.
The supervisor is aware of him nicely, after all, and presumably had a well-recognized job to do from their time collectively in Amsterdam, however it was nonetheless a sizeable name to offer the Brazilian a direct begin towards one of many Premier League’s high-fliers.
He made an eventful begin with just a few moments of ability and one wild shot miles off-target, however simply over half an hour into his debut got here the second the house followers wished: performed in one-on-one, he opened himself up and curled a positive end contained in the far nook for the sport’s first (legit) aim.
Two long-range tried efforts gave approach to a a lot quieter second half and he was changed earlier than the hour mark, however each supervisor and followers will probably see optimism ranges mightly boosted by the clear end and willingness off the ball.
Counter disaster
Arsenal’s personal lineup was boosted by the presence of Martin Odegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko after harm points, however they struggled to search out the identical fluidity of their play – within the remaining third specifically – that that they had accomplished in earlier matches this season.
It needs to be identified that that is the primary time the Gunners have confronted a group prone to end within the prime half, one thing which appears to have been relatively ignored amid the thrill at them placing collectively a 100% begin.
As such, it’s no shock that they have been put below relatively extra strain within the first half than they’ve been used to and maybe the defeat will function a reminder that they’re nonetheless a long way from the completed product.
Big gaps in midfield, far too simply breached on the counter-attack and a scarcity of restoration tempo on present in defence meant they have been left uncovered far too usually – whereas not being medical on the different finish ensured a primary defeat of the season.
Silent Sancho however Rashford roars
United have a number of ahead choices to choose from now, although Cristiano Ronaldo stays a non-impact sub and Anthony Martial continues to be sidelined. However, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford stay within the combine with Ten Hag – albeit with very totally different impacts on this sport.
Indeed, Sancho was largely a non-entity when it comes to attacking output, having to observe on as most assaults constructed down the other flank after which spending a variety of time fruitlessly chasing again towards Saka after the primary half-hour.
By distinction, Rashford began because the No9 once more and as soon as extra had a telling impression: two targets and an help, a lot of neat interaction when United tried to counter from deep however, most of all, having the velocity and willingness to run in behind to offer an out-ball for Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes.
The latter’s wonderful move allowed Rashford to race clear and end in an identical fashion of aim to his effort towards Liverpool, although a late hamstring difficulty shall be a little bit of a fear as European motion begins up.
Fernandes rediscovers key position
There’s no query that Bruno Fernandes was each extremely essential for United after signing, and really a lot marginalised in that significance after Cristiano Ronaldo arrived. He has not at all times hit prime gear this season both, however towards Arsenal his finest traits have been on present with frequency.
The defence-splitting move for Rashford’s first was impeccable in each weight and timing, whereas he additionally acquired concerned in loads of midfield battles, broke up just a few moments of hazard along with his propensity to go to floor and maybe had an affect on the referee’s resolution to overturn Martinelli’s early strike – all elements which benefitted United.
Moving him proper aspect, briefly, within the second half was an fascinating wrinkle from Ten Hag, who wished Fred because the combative ball-winner and provider in central zones for that interval, and Fernandes may simply have added one other help or two to his identify afterward as gaps appeared.
Top finish
Six video games in, Arsenal stay prime of the desk so there received’t be any hand-wringing, particularly as subsequent up domestically is winless Everton after dealing with Zurich within the Europa League.
But within the relentless race for top-four spots – assuming that’s the north London membership’s ambition this time period – defeats towards perceived rivals are going to harm. They may even hold the questions coming about how good or in any other case this aspect really is, till they’ll win these harder encounters.
So far, there’s a scarcity of proof for it.
United although are undoubtedly trending up: 4 wins on the bounce, a a lot stronger beginning again 4 and now extra targets to place into the group by the seems of issues, even when Ronaldo isn’t but included in that group, a lot to his apparent frustration within the closing phases.
More good work on present for Ten Hag, and extra expectation will include it too.
Source: www.impartial.co.uk