Manchester United continued their strong form under Michael Carrick as the Red Devils secured a hard-fought 3-2 win over Arsenal in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening.
The Gunners bossed possession early on and almost got the opener in the 11th minute, when Leandro Trossard met Casemiro’s clearance from a corner, but the Belgian skied his half volley over the bar.
Moments later, Declan Rice swung in a cross to the near post from a free-kick, but Martin Zubimendi’s powerful header was palmed away by Senne Lammens.
The host finally got the breakthrough in the 29th minute after Bukayo Saka found Martin Odegaard, who fired in a shot which struck the heel of Lisandro Martinez and arrowed into the net.
At the other end, Bruno Fernandes squandered two glorious opportunities to draw United level as he dragged his effort wide before William Saliba made a crucial block to deny the Red Devils’ skipper.
However, in the 37th minute, Bryan Mbeumo restored parity after he latched onto Zubimendi’s loose back pass, and the Cameroonian rounded David Raya and slotted it into an empty net.
On the stroke of halftime, Mbeumo could’ve gotten a second, but his long-range effort sailed well over the bar.
Five minutes after the restart, Patrick Dorgu gave the visitors the lead after a brilliant one-two exchange with Fernandes, and the Denmark international volleyed United into the lead.
Moments later, Kobbie Mainoo tried his luck from the edge of the area, but his curling effort flew over the bar.
At the other end, Mikel Merino sent his header over the bar from a Rice free-kick as the Gunners searched for an equaliser.
Minutes later, Viktor Gyokeres was the next to test Lammens with a header, but his effort flew over the bar from 10 yards out.
In the 84th minute, Merino drew Arsenal level after he fired home a rebound after the Red Devils failed to clear their lines from a corner.
Three minutes later, Matheus Cunha restored United’s lead after he curled in a beauty into the bottom, beating the stretching Raya.
The defeat marked Arsenal’s first home loss of the season and reduced their lead at the summit to four points. Meanwhile, United leapfrogged Chelsea to fourth in the Premier League standings.