Man Utd emerged victorious in a topsy-turvy Premier League encounter with Arsenal as Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a brace in a 3-2 victory.
Arsenal started the contest on the front foot, immediately threatening the Man Utd goal with a Ben White header from a corner. Fortunately for the hosts, Marcus Rashford was on the goal line to clear.
United threatened through Diogo Dalot shot from distance, but they fell behind in bizarre circumstances in the 13th minute.
As the hosts cleared from a corner, David de Gea went down under contact from his own player. Unaware of what was unfolding, Emile Smith Rowe struck a volley into the bottom corner with the United goalkeeper on the floor. After a brief pause, while he consulted his officials, Martin Atkinson awarded the goal.
Arsenal could have doubled their lead shortly after when Gabriel Martinelli weaved his way into the penalty area after a give-and-go with Martin Odegaard, but the Brazilian dragged his effort wide.
Analysis
If Manchester United’s incoming interim manager was not fully aware of the size of the challenge that faced him, or how erratic his new team have come to look, it was highlighted before him during a performance that batted between the ridiculous and the sublime.
The interim manager needs to take advantage of a favourable run of fixtures to secure a Champions League place and fourth place is the minimum requirement of the season.
United’s flaky midfield and defence is the patient-zero when it comes to United’s problems. So sorting this has to be the top, middle and bottom of Rangnick’s in-tray. How Mikel Arteta’s free-flowing side scored the opener was akin to a microcosm of United’s ills.
At 63 years old Rangnick has never managed outside his homeland and it is a decade since he led any side for more than a full season, so the jury is out at this interim appointment.
Man Utd vs Arsenal: team news, stats, predictions, kick-off time
Man Utd vs Arsenal: team news, stats, predictions, kick-off time
Man Utd
Player ratings Man United
David de Gea (GK) – 4/10 – A bizarre moment for Arsenal’s opener, and he should know better than to stay down unless it’s a head injury.
Diogo Dalot (RB) – 8/10 – Replaced Aaron Wan-Bissaka and put forward a strong case for his inclusion going forward, playing a cute reverse pass in the lead up to Ronaldo’s goal.
Victor Lindelof (CB) – 6/10 – A commanding performance, always in the right position to sniff out danger.
Harry Maguire (CB) – 5/10 – Fortunate not be penalised for a foul on Tomiyasu from a free-kick, but a strong performance otherwise.
Alex Telles (LB) – 7/10 – A strong performance, motoring down the left-hand side at will.
Scott McTominay (CM) – 5/10 – Provided energy to Man Utd’s performance, constantly getting stuck into the midfield battle.
Fred (CM) – 5/10 – A disappointing display until he laid on Fernandes for his goal, before regaining his composure in the second half.
Bruno Fernandes (AM) – 7/10 – A couple of gorgeous lofted balls in behind the Arsenal defence, taking his goal well.
Marcus Rashford (RW) – 5/10 – Barely had a sniff in the first half, but produced a well-timed cut-back for Ronaldo’s strike.
Cristiano Ronaldo (ST) – 8/10 – Restored to the starting lineup by Carrick and, as expected, made the difference in front of goal.
Jadon Sancho (LW) – 3/10 – A performance symptomatic of his season, playing largely on the periphery.
Arsenal
Player ratings Arsenal
Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 5/10 – Could do little to prevent Man Utd’s goals, saving well on a few occasions.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB) – 6/10 – Rock solid defensively and kept Jadon Sancho quiet.
Ben White (CB) – 6/10 – Marshalled Ronaldo well, but sliced clearance in the lead to Fernandes’ leveller.
Gabriel (CB) – 7/10 – Made a couple of key interceptions, holding his own against United’s talented attack.
Nuno Tavares (LB) – 5/10 – Keeping Kieran Tierney out of the Arsenal side and performed well, although he wasn’t able to impact the game in the final third.
Thomas Partey (CM) – 2/10 – Very slack in his distribution, often looking a yard off the pace. Worrying.
Mohamed Elneny (CM) – 5/10 – A surprise inclusion from Arteta, but he did offer Arsenal bite in midfield.
Martin Odegaard (AM) – 5/10 – Floated into good areas, but he lacked options ahead of him to make the final pass. Took his goal very well, but the silly concession of the penalty.
Gabriel Martinelli (RW) – 7/10 – Rewarded for his strike against Newcastle and he made the difference in the final third, laying on Odegaard for his goal.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – 3/10 – Led the line effectively, offering the side energy without the ball, but did very little with the ball.
Emile Smith Rowe (LW) – 6/10 – Took his volley well despite the bizarre circumstances, constantly buzzing with energy off the left-hand side.
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