Man United vs Arsenal live score and goal updates from Premier League clash
Man Utd3
Marcus Rashford 29',
Marcus Rashford 32',
Ander Herrera 65'
Arsenal
2
Danny Welbeck 40',
Mesut Özil 69'
Key Events So Far
11 mins ago Story of the match in pictures
41 mins ago Rooney congratulates Rashford
43 mins ago Player ratings - who was your man of the match?
46 mins ago 5 things we learned
48 mins ago FULL-TIME: Manchester United 3-2 Arsenal
Live update
Wenger: "I cannot fault our commitment and spirit and desire"
Arsene Wenger has been speaking to the BBC following the game and is eager to look forward to the next game.“We played with a lot of intensity, I cannot fault our commitment and spirit and desire but I feel we conceded too easy goals.
“I think after the game we have to be positive and prepare for the next one. We have another game on Wednesday, they come thick and fast and you want to keep a good mentality.
“We did fight until the end, we had a lot of the ball but I think we could avoid the goals with better concentration.
“I am disappointed because we lost the game but we will focus on the next one. This is a fight where you go to the next one and aim to come back even stronger.”
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Key event
Story of the match in pictures
Here, via the medium of pictures, is how this afternoon’s thoroughly entertaining match at Old Trafford went down.
Photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty
Carrick and Koscielny get us under way
Marcus Rashford slots home the first goal...
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Photo: Rickett/AP Wire
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Photo: Price/Arsenal FC/Getty
Photo: John Peters /Man United /Getty
Richard Innes
Twitter reaction to that LVG dive...
Louis van Gaal often finds new ways of doing things. How many managers have you ever heard ask his team to be “horny”?But even by the standards of the slightly ‘out there’ Man United boss, his protests to the fourth official at Man United vs Arsenal were particularly bizarre.
Irritated by what he considered to be a dive by Alexis Sanchez, van Gaal clearly didn’t think Mike Dean was taking his complaints seriously enough.
So, to REALLY make his point, the Dutchman “re-enacted” the Chilean’s fall to the floor.
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Live update
Rio Ferdinand next to wade in on Arsenal's failings
I’m expecting plenty of people will be twisting the knife on Arsenal in the coming days.Here’s Rio Ferdinand’s take:
“Do arsenal actually want to win this league....lowest standard for years...the time is now for the Gunners...” he tweeted earlier.
Live update
Post-match picutres
Here’s how the two teams were looking after the game...
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Photo: AFP/Getty
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Photo: John Peters/Man Utd/Getty
Photo: John Peters/Man Utd/Getty
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Live update
Graeme Souness seethes at Arseneal
Former Liverpool enforcer Graeme Souness is not impressed one bit at Arsenal after that display.The Scot is exactly the sort of player they needed out there this afternoon...
Live update
Schweinsteiger checks in
The German is happy...
Live update
Stat's magic
Is Marcus Rashford going to prove to be Louis van Gaal’s Mark Robbins?
Live update
Piers Morgan's verdict is in
Never one to overreact...
Key event
Rooney congratulates Rashford
Careful Wayne, he you might not get back in the team...
Key event
Player ratings - who was your man of the match?
Our man John Cross was at Old Trafford and he’s been in the business of dishing out player ratings.No spoilers, but you’ve got three guesses who gets man of the match.
And the first two don’t count.
Minute by minute
That's all from us and it has been a great pleasure talking you
through all of today's action from Old Trafford. We hope you can join us
again very soon. Take care!
Key event
5 things we learned
Marcus Rashford struck twice and set-up Ander Herrera’s third to hand Manchester United a huge win against Arsenal.Rashford scored twice in three minutes to continue his remarkable week and reignite United’s fading top-four hopes and harm the Gunners’ title chances.
The first, a flourishing finish, was followed by a glancing header that has seen the 18-year-old local lad take his goal tally to four in two games, following his brace in Thursday’s 5-2 Europa League win over FC Midtjylland.
Danny Welbeck scored before half-time to reduce the deficit.
Rashford set up Herrera as Man United added a third, before Ozil kept Arsenal in the game with a fine finish.
Louis van Gaal was finally cheered by the Old Trafford faithful when feigning a dive on the sidelines - a response to Alexis Sanchez.
And there might be a few more cheers after this win.
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Minute by minute
Marcus Rashford enhanced his burgeoning reputation by scoring a
well-taken brace to help Manchester United down Arsenal 3-2 at Old
Trafford. Ander Herrera's goal made the all important difference after
the Gunners twice gave themselves hope through Danny Welbeck and Mesut
Ozil.
Minute by minute
FULL TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 3-2 ARSENAL
Key event
FULL-TIME: Manchester United 3-2 Arsenal
All over at Old Trafford, and the Red Devils have landed a massive hammer blow on Arsenal’s title hopes.We’ll have plenty of reaction from a busy old game coming right up, so stay tuned...
Stats
Overall Possession Ratio
- Man UtdKey color for Man Utd
- ArsenalKey color for Arsenal
90+5 mins
Substitution
Van Gaal makes his third and final change of the game for United as
another youngster, Weir, comes on in place of Herrera, who put in a
sublime shift in midfield for his side today.
Live update
James Weir on for his debut
Yet another United debut as James Weir comes on in place of Herrera.Here’s some background on the latest Carrington debutant from this piece on United’s next generation:
Weir was given a taste of first-team involvement when he was named on the bench against Newcastle last month. Another versatile type who can also operate at full-back, Weir is best in an attacking midfield role. “I’ve been mainly on the left this year but I can come in off the flank and play as a false winger, if you like, which is quite popular in the modern game,” he told the Manchester United website. “I can also still play as a central midfielder who can make runs forward and hopefully get back as well. I can play that narrow left-winger role and do a job for the team while also scoring some goals.”
90+3 mins
Yellow card
Januzaj also gets his name taken by referee late on in the game. The
Belgian has been lively since coming on for United, but picks up a
caution for his troubles.
90+2 mins
Yellow card
Ozil picks up a caution in the dying minutes here at Old Trafford.
The referee has certainly been busy with the cards in this second half
as Arsenal press for a leveller.
90+2 mins
Minute by minute
CLOSE! Januzaj plays a lovely one-two with Mata deep inside Arsenal's
half as United ponder whether to go for goal. The Belgian does so by
playing a cutback towards Depay, but Koscielny gets an important tackle
in to cancel out the move.
Live update
Ozil booked
Ozil goes in the book.Wenger is crouching on the sideline.
Halfway through the five additional minutes.
They wouldn’t be saying this if they were losing:
90+1 mins
Minute by minute
The fourth official on the touchline indicates that a minimum of five
minutes is being added on here at Old Trafford. Ozil curls in a
free-kick towards Giroud but Blind hacks away the ball for the hosts.
Live update
LVG's tumble in pictures
You’ll be seeing plenty more of this in the coming hours/days/weeks/month/years...Photo: Reuters/Phil Noble
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Live update
Into FIVE minute's stoppage time
There’s going to be five minute’s stoppage time at Old Trafford.What have Arsenal got in their locker?
Photo:David Price/arsenal/Gettyf
89 mins
Minute by minute
Varela makes an important intervention again as Fosu-Mensah gives
possession away cheaply. Sanchez plays a long ball forward looking to
hit Giroud but United's right-back stretches his neck muscles to snuff
out the danger.
87 mins
Minute by minute
United feed the ball towards the corner as they look to hold onto
what would be a massive three points if they get over the line, with
this scoreline intact. Lingard waits and waits for Elneny to bring him
down, winning his side a free-kick. It's all getting frustrating for
Arsenal.
85 mins
Minute by minute
Depay barges into Bellerin as the two contest for the ball in the
air. The Dutchman attempts to flick it on towards Januzaj but the
Arsenal defender gets a block in and comes away with possession. The
Gunners are on the breakaway here.
Live update
Five minutes left
Arsenal know they only have five minutes left to claim something from this game and are looking to flood forward.Oh, by the way Spurs are winning 2-1 now.
This afternoon’s getting worse for Arsenal...
83 mins
Substitution
Wenger makes his third and final change for Arsenal as Iwobi comes on
in place of Welbeck, who impressed today with his control while he also
took his goal really well.
83 mins
Minute by minute
Ozil bends in a decent corner from the left-hand side
towards the near post but United clear the danger easily. Arsenal's best
chance of finding an equaliser is through the Germany international,
who has played well today.
79 mins
Minute by minute
United have been forced to play on the counter-attack now
as Arsenal continue to push for a leveller. However, Wenger's men are
still playing short, neat passes rather than trying to hit Giroud early
with crosses.
David McDonnell
David McDonnell on LVG's dive
Van Gaal rarely leaves the dug-out, but this time it was priceless, as he drops to the ground in front of the fourth official to mock Sanchez diving to the ground. Brilliant stuff from the Dutchman, who earned the applause of Old Trafford for his theatrics.
Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Photo: Reuters / Phil noble
80 mins
Substitution
Van Gaal makes his second change of the game for United
as Rashford, who has enjoyed a fine afternoon in red by having a hand in
all three of his side's goals, comes off in place of Januzaj.
77 mins
Minute by minute
A cross curls in from the left-hand side towards Giroud,
who does his best to try and work an angle to get a shot off but United
shut the door in the nick of time to deny him. Arsenal are on the front
foot at the moment.
Live update
Rashford subbed with ten minutes remaining
Giroud beginning to make his presence felt, when he heads over the bar.Van Gaal then manages to stay on his feet to congratulate Marcus Rashford on his afternoon’s work.
On come Adnan Januzaj.
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
75 mins
Minute by minute
Arsenal are starting to push for that all important
equaliser by keeping hold of possession better. Giroud also gives them a
different threat, peeling onto Blind to use his superior height
advantage.
Live update
David McDonnell's take with 15 minutes left...
The see-saw nature of the game continues with Giroud giving Arsenal hope, just as Herrera’s deflected strike - set up by Rashford - looked to have given United enough room for the win.Now, at 3-2, the game remains in the balance, Arsenal given another lifeline with Ramsey escaping a red card after shoving Herrera to the ground after a late tackle.
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
73 mins
Yellow card
Elneny picks up a booking as he mistimes a challenge in
the middle of the park. The Arsenal substitute has barely had a touch of
the ball since coming on due to United having a strong grip on the
affair.
Live update
LVG hits the deck
Perhaps the finest comic moment of Louis van Gaal’s career, as Van Gaal gestures to the fourth official how easily Ozil went down - by hitting the deck himself.This is fun. Gloriously, messy fun.
71 mins
Yellow card
It's just a yellow card for Ramsey, who did put his hands
into Herrera's face. In that sense, he can be seen as a lucky man as
other referee's may have dished out a red.
Stats
Overall Possession Ratio
- Man UtdKey color for Man Utd
- ArsenalKey color for Arsenal
Live update
Pictured: Herrera nets United's third
As it all starts to get a bit tetchy out there, here’s a snap of the third Manchester United goal...Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Photo: Reuters / Phil Noble
73 mins
Minute by minute
United, although they have shipped in another, are still
in control of this match and you feel as though they have more goals in
them. Depay and Mata have been very dangerous for the hosts today.
72 mins
Yellow card
Herrera also picks up a booking for his involvement in
his earlier scuffle with Ramsey. The cards are starting to tot up now as
the odds shorten on this match staying 11 vs 11.
70 mins
Substitution
Wenger makes his second change of the game for Arsenal as
Elneny comes on in place of Coquelin, who kept his side's possession
ticking over neatly today.
71 mins
Minute by minute
Herrera fumes at Ramsey as the Arsenal midfielder hits
the deck from an earlier challenge. The Welshman reacts by pushing the
Spaniard, who then falls to the floor. The referee has a big decision to
make here.
Live update
Another lifeline for Arsenal?
Arsenal have looked lost for the last few minutes - but just as they did in the first-half, they’ve managed to pull a goal out of nothing.Good finish from the German, as he hit into ground and the ball bounced into the back of the net.
20 minutes left...
69 mins
Goal
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAALLL!! It's 3-2 and Arsenal are back
in it again! Sanchez curls in a great cross from the right-hand side
which falls to Welbeck, who forces a good save from De Gea with a
close-range shot. The ball spills out to Ozil who hits a shot which
bounces into the turf and into the top corner.
67 mins
Minute by minute
Fosu-Mensah gets brought down in Arsenal's half but the
referee plays advantage as United surge forward looking for a fourth.
Depay dips infield to play a one-two with Rashford, before he almost
gets a shot away only for Bellerin to get a last-ditch tackle in.
Live update
Rashford can do assists too!
He can do assists too!Manchester United may well have wrapped this one up, after Hererra fires home from the edge of the area after Marcus Rashford jinks his way into the box, draws two defenders out of position and lays off the Spaniard 20 yards from goal.
Although, that strike took a massive deflection off Koscielny.
65 mins
Minute by minute
Rashford's day improves further as he grabs an assist
alongside his two goals today. The striker does well to hold the ball up
and play in Herrera, who bends a brilliant shot past Cech from
distance.
65 mins
Goal
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLL!! It's 3-1 to United! The
Red Devils counter-attack Arsenal brilliantly as Rashford gets involved
again. The marksman holds the ball up patiently before he spots Herrera
on the edge of the box and the Spaniard doesn't disappoint as he bends a
quality strike past Cech.
63 mins
Minute by minute
Ozil stands the ball up for Sanchez at the back post with
a clipped pass but Varela gets in front of him to head the ball away.
The attack stays alive for Arsenal as Welbeck tries to spin into the
box, before Carrick gets another good tackle in. United are on the
counter-attack now.
Live update
Giroud on for Walcott
Arsenal just can’t keep hold of the ball.So that means it’s time for Giroud to come on, as Wenger checks the results of that Arsenal Twitter poll.
Can the Frenchman get the visitors out of this funk?
61 mins
Minute by minute
Depay picks up the ball just outside Arsenal's penalty
area and tries to play a one-two with Rashford, but Koscielny barges
into the back of the latter and that sees the attack fizzle out. United
are still in control of possession, though.
63 mins
Substitution
Wenger makes his first change of the game for Arsenal as
Giroud comes on in place of Walcott, who disappointed by giving the ball
away in the build up to United's opener, while he didn't do too much in
attack either.
Live update
Time for Arsenal to make a change?
United are in the ascendancy here.Now, I’m not sure if Arsene Wenger is geniunley crowd sourcing his decisions here or anything, but the club have just tweeted this out...
59 mins
Minute by minute
It's good play from Depay on his own as he hangs onto
possession up against both Bellerin and Walcott, who were snapping at
the Dutchman's heels. He's building on his excellent display in midweek
with another fine performance this afternoon.
Stats
57 mins
Minute by minute
The second half has started a little bit like the first
in that both sides have occasionally threatened, particularly down the
flanks, but it hasn't caught fire just yet. De Gea is still yet to
really be tested at all.
55 mins
Minute by minute
CHANCE! Depay bends in a decent free-kick from the
right-hand side which flies right beyond Arsenal's backline towards
Schneiderlin, who stands unmarked at the back stick. The French
midfielder waits for the ball to sit up before he smashes a shot which
Sanchez blocks well.
Live update
Timothy Fosu-Mensah on for his debut
Louis van Gaal hands out another Manchester United debut, as Timothy Fosu-Mensah comes on for Marcus Rojo.This is the 18-year-old Dutch defender’s first taste of action in the first team.
Photo: AFP/Getty
55 mins
Substitution
Van Gaal makes his first change of the game for United as
Rojo, who appears to have picked up a knock, comes off in place of
youngster Fosu-Mensah just before the hour mark.
53 mins
Minute by minute
United put together a decent attacking move as Depay lets
Rashford's cutback run through to Mata and peels away into the box in
hope of getting played in. The Spaniard obliges with a clipped pass
towards the Dutchman but Cech rushes out to gobble the ball up.
Live update
Arsenal with the lion’s share of possession in the early
stages of the second half, as they poke and prod their way around the
Manchester United half. United are content to soak this up for now.
Photo: Reuters / Phil Noble
51 mins
Minute by minute
It's a great pick-out from Koscielny as he plays a
brilliant cross-field ball from the back towards Walcott, who lurks deep
inside United's half. The Arsenal forward curls in a cross which
Schneiderlin clears with ease, though, due to the lack of numbers the
visitors had in the box.
49 mins
Minute by minute
Rashford comes back onto the field appearing to be fine
as Arsenal keep hold of possession early doors in the second half.
Bellerin sweeps a pass forward towards Walcott, but it's great play from
Depay as he tracks back and clears the danger.
Live update
Rashford injured?
Worrying moments for Manchester United here, as Rashford goes down with what looks like a groin injury after stretching for a ball.He looks ok to carry on after receiving treatment though.
That would be the last thing that LVG needs...
Photo: John peters/Man Utd/Reuters
47 mins
Minute by minute
A short suspension in play occurs as Rashford receives
some treatment from the physios following an earlier collision with
Koscielny. The replay shows that the United forward gets caught slightly
by the Arsenal defender's trailing left boot.
Live update
PEEEP! Off they go again
Right, let’s see what these two have got in store for us in the second half.Manchester United kick-off, but it’s Arsenal quickly win the ball back and go about their business.
46 mins
Minute by minute
Welcome back! United get us under way again for the second half here at Old Trafford.
Live update
Pictured: Welbeck's goal
Could Danny Welbeck’s strike prove to be key in the outcome of this one?Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Live update
Stat's magic
How about this for a coincidence?
Live update
What about Wayne Rooney?
It won’t be long until the wags on Twitter start insisting that Wayne Rooney won’t win his place back in the United team.Well, the Red Devils skipper will have to sit a fair few more games, as he’s been pictured in a knee brace at Old Trafford.
Photo: XPOSUREPHOTOS.COM
Minute by minute
However, Ozil's set-piece threat provided the goods once
again as he curled in a peach of cross to set up Welbeck just a few
minutes before the half-time interval. It's all set up for a quality
second half.
Live update
Have your say...
Prediction time.Do United ride this Marcus Rashford inspired wave and go on to win?
Can Arsenal come back from behind?
Or does it end all square?
Who will end up winning this one?
Manchester UnitedMinute by minute
Live update
And here's Rashford's second
The 18-year-old’s second was arguably the better goal - it showed that the teenager has the nous to find space when all about him were standing still:Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Photo: AFP/Getty
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Minute by minute
Well, well, well. Both sets of players head down the
tunnel for the half-time break as the referee calls time on what was an
action-packed first half here at Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford catches
the eye again as he scores a well-taken brace, shortly before Danny
Welbeck claws an important goal back for Arsenal.
Live update
In pictures: Rashford's opener
Here’s how Marcus Rashford’s first goal went down in pictures:Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Minute by minute
HALF TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 2-1 ARSENAL
45+1 mins
Minute by minute
CLOSE! Lingard receives the ball deep inside Arsenal's
half and drives right at the heart of Monreal, who remains the last man
back for the visitors. However, the linesman saves Wenger's men with his
raised offside flag.
45 mins
Minute by minute
The referee indicates that a minimum of two minutes are
being added onto the first half here as Ozil drives the resulting set
play straight at the United wall. The ball rebounds out to Sanchez, who
smashes a shot off Depay which deflects out for a corner.
Stats
Overall Possession Ratio
- Man UtdKey color for Man Utd
- ArsenalKey color for Arsenal
Live update
HALF-TIME: Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal
Arsenal get one last chance to equalise before the break as Welbeck is hacked down - again.Up steps Ozil and Sanchez for the free-kick five yards outside the area - the German fires into the wall and then the Chilean does the same with the rebound.
And there’s the half-time whistle.
44 mins
Minute by minute
Blind stops a lively Arsenal attack from testing De Gea
as he clips Welbeck just outside his own penalty area. The referee keeps
his cards in his pocket this time as both Ozil and Sanchez stand over
the ball.
42 mins
Minute by minute
Welbeck finds the net against his former paymasters which
could be a massive goal come full time. United have well and truly been
in the ascendancy since going two nil up, but the visitors will fancy
their chances of getting something now.
Live update
Law of the ex
Arsenal have a lifeline and it’s former Manchester United man Danny Welbeck who has the goal.He heads home an Ozil free-kick and somehow Arsenal have gathered themselves enough to grab a lifeline before the break.
This is turning into a fascinating clash.
40 mins
Minute by minute
Ozil's assist tally edges ever closer to breaking the
all-time Premier League record as he sets up Welbeck for Arsenal's first
today. The Germany international, in trademark fashion, bends in a
lovely free-kick which does all of the work for the goal scorer.
40 mins
Goal
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLL!! It's 2-1 as Arsenal grab a
lifeline at Old Trafford. Welbeck importantly claws a goal back just
before the interval as he loses Schneiderlin inside the box and heads
home from Ozil's delightful free-kick.
38 mins
Minute by minute
Mata, who was involved in the build up to both of
Rashford's strikes, plays a one-two with Depay down the left as United
look for a third goal. But the Spaniard fails to keep the ball in play
as he smashes a cross into the arms of Cech from outside the byline.
Live update
Leicester City will be smiling
In today’s other game, Tottenham are losing 1-0 to Swansea as they approach half-time.Somewhere in the Midlands, Claudio Ranieri will have a big smile on his face...
36 mins
Minute by minute
Arsenal, in need of a goal to restore some confidence,
create an opening at the other end as Ozil tiptoes around the penalty
area before Blind gets a good tackle in. The Gunners try and keep the
attack in play but ironic cheers soon greet Ramsey's inability to keep
the ball in play down the right.
David McDonnell
David McDonnell on Rashford's brace
Rashford scores twice in three minutes to continue his remarkable week and reignite United’s fading top-four hopes.The first, a flourishing finish, was followed by a glancing header that has seen the 18-year-old local lad take his goal tally to four in two games, following his brace in Thursdya’s 5-2 Europa League win over FC Midtjylland. Extraordinary stuff.
34 mins
Minute by minute
United can smell blood as they steam forward on the hunt
for a third, in hope of getting revenge for their defeat at Arsenal
earlier in the campaign. Depay dips infield onto his stronger right foot
from the left but sends a shot wide of the target.
Live update
Arsenal in shock
Arsenal are in absolute shellshock here.They’re completely rattled and can’t get a sniff of the ball after those two goals in five minutes.
This is where a leader in the mould of Patrick Viera would come in handy, as they need picking up and shaking.
Live update
And Rashford does it yet again!
Yet more incredible scenes at Old Trafford!Rashford has doubled his tally with a superb headed goal, as he shows off his movement in the box to get on the end of a cross.
That’s four goals in less than a game and a half for the 18-year-old.
31 mins
Minute by minute
The atmosphere inside Old Trafford has cranked up
dramatically since Rashford broke the deadlock. Arsenal looked the more
dangerous of the two going forward, but they've been pegged back and
need to find a response as United fly forward on the attack again now.
32 mins
Minute by minute
Lingard grabs the assist for United's second here today.
The youngster shifts the ball from right to left and bends in a lovely
cross towards Rashford, but Gabriel has to do more to get in front of
the goal scorer.
32 mins
Goal
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLL!! Rashford scores again! The
young forward's week just gets better and better as heads home with
aplomb to double United's lead. Gabriel crucially fails to deal with
Lingard's cross from the right-hand side.
Live update
Rashford does it again!
Incredible scenes at Old Trafford, as Marcus Rashford nets his first Premier League goal. With his first shot, to boot.It’s another cool sidefooted shot from inside the area, which beats Cech.
Arsenal fans should be unhappy with Theo Walcott - he went walkies in his own half and gave the ball away which got Manchester United’s attack going.
29 mins
Goal
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLL!! It's 1-0 to United! The roof
flies off as Rashford does it again at Old Trafford! The ball squirts
out to him inside the penalty area as Gabriel tries to clear Varela's
cross, before he guides a shot calmly past Cech.
Stats
Overall Possession Ratio
- Man UtdKey color for Man Utd
- ArsenalKey color for Arsenal
Live update
Manchester United are guilty of lots of niggling fouls so far here, as they look to disrupt the visitors’ rhythm. That said, Michael Carrick has just put in a crucial challenge on Welbeck - had that gone wrong it would have been another yellow and penalty.
27 mins
Minute by minute
Just when Gabriel receives deserved praise for making a
good challenge, Carrick trumps him with an even better one on Welbeck
minutes later. The United man stands firm up against a stepover from the
Arsenal striker and wins the ball as he makes a tackle inside the
penalty area.
25 mins
Minute by minute
It's good, important defending from Gabriel as he cancels
out a potentially lethal United attack. The defender slides in well to
prevent Rashford being fed down the left-hand side, to the relief of
last man Koscielny.
David McDonnell
David McDonnell's take on the opening 25 minutes
Apart from Rashford’s run between Gabriel and Bellerin, which yielded a free-kick from which United failed to capitalise, United have created very little. The best chance so far fell to Arsenal, clever work from Welbeck and Ozil putting Monreal through, but his effort was blocked by the advancing De Gea. Halfway through the first-half and still 0-0.
23 mins
Minute by minute
Ozil whips in another teasing free-kick from a deep area
which plays Sanchez in. The former Barcelona forward tries to steer a
header around De Gea, before he gets thwarted in his tracks by the
linesman's offside flag.
Key event
Carrick booked
Manchester United need to be careful here, as Michael Carrick is now booked. The pace in this Arsenal team is causing problems.The former Spurs man chopped down the busy Danny Welbeck and that’s a deserved yellow for the England man.
21 mins
Minute by minute
Depay drops the shoulder once more as he attempts to take
Bellerin on towards the byline. The winger, however, curls in a cross
which bypasses his team-mates inside the penalty area as the danger goes
for Arsenal.
22 mins
Yellow card
Carrick becomes the second United player to pick up a
booking in the first half as he clatters into Welbeck. The Arsenal man
sees the makeshift defender coming and wins his side a free-kick
cleverly.
19 mins
Minute by minute
Monreal continues to shine in this match as he marauds
forward from left-back once more. He bends in a cracking cross from the
left towards Welbeck, before Blind gets in front and heads the ball
away. It sits up for Sanchez but he scuffs a shot on the rebound wide of
the target.
17 mins
Minute by minute
Sanchez collects possession from Welbeck down the left
and gets his head up early to look for options. He opts against testing
Varela, who has already been cautioned, and instead curls a pass towards
Walcott at the back post, but Rojo makes a good clearance for the
hosts.
Live update
Arsenal continue to probe
We’re almost 20 minutes in and Nacho Monreal’s saved effort is still the best chance so far.Arsenal look far more dangerous though, with Ozil finding his range and Monreal looking to link up with Sanchez on the left for the Gunners.
Welbeck is also looking lively.
15 mins
Minute by minute
Welbeck steams forward on the breakaway for Arsenal but
Rojo matches him stride-for-stride, falling to the floor as the two
players rub shoulders. The game finally feels as though it has kicked
into life after a tentative opening.
13 mins
Minute by minute
It's a great save from Cech as he gobbles up the
free-kick from Depay. The ball just bounces up slightly in front of him
but he does well to hang onto it with several United players lurking in
the box.
Live update
Manchester United FURIOUS
We get our first sight of Marcus Rashford and he almost makes a huge impact.The 18-year-old picks up the ball on the left and uses his explosive pace to burst towards the box before being chopped down.
Manchester United are insistent that it should be a penalty, but the referee got this one right.
Cech does well to gather Memphis’ free-kick.
Stats
Overall Possession Ratio
- Man UtdKey color for Man Utd
- ArsenalKey color for Arsenal
12 mins
Minute by minute
FOUL! Rashford oozes confidence as he skips past Bellerin
down the left flank, before he goes to ground under pressure from
Gabriel. United appeal for a penalty but the contact occurs just outside
the box. Depay stands over the free-kick with interest at the moment.
11 mins
Minute by minute
Arsenal have looked the sharper of the two in an
attacking-sense so far. And with Varela already on a yellow card, you
feel giving the ball to Sanchez down the left-hand side could bring them
further joy.
Live update
It's going to be a long afternoon for Varela
It took only eight minutes for Varela to be handed a yellow card, with Arsenal continuing to target the inexperienced right-back by finding Sanchez out wide.And it was a stone cold booking, as that was practically a rugby tackle from the Chilean.
Photo: AFP/Getty
9 mins
Minute by minute
Ozil bends in a decent free-kick from the left flank
towards the back stick as Gabriel rises highest. The Arsenal defender
flicks it towards Welbeck at the other post before Blind smashes away
the ball.
Live update
Arsenal should be ahead
Of all the people to be on the end of a delicious Mesut Ozil lofted through ball, Nacho Monreal is not top of your list.That was a fantastic chance for the visitors to take an early lead, but the Arsenal defender showed exactly why he isn’t usually at that end of the pitch.
This fan won’t be getting too excited yet...
Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Wire
9 mins
Yellow card
Varela picks up the first booking of the match as he
fouls Sanchez down the left-hand side. The Arsenal winger skins the
youngster, who cynically pulls him to the ground to stop the attack.
7 mins
Minute by minute
GREAT SAVE! It's magnificent play from Ozil as he scoops a
first time pass over the top of United's backline towards an onrushing
Monreal. The Arsenal left-back waits for the ball to sit up for him
before he shoots straight at De Gea, who does well to make himself big
from point-blank range.
Live update
Arsenal starting strong
The visitors are doing the early running here.The Gunners are looking to put Sanchez up against Varela in these early stages.
And look who’s in the crowd...
5 mins
Minute by minute
Sanchez steals possession away from Schneiderlin outside
United's penalty area as an Arsenal opportunity beckons. However, the
Chile international undercooks his pass into Welbeck and that allows
Carrick the chance to clear the danger.
3 mins
Minute by minute
It's been a cagey opening couple of minutes here in
Manchester. United, as expected, are moving possession around neatly,
biding their time to find an opening. Arsenal, on the flip side, are
looking to counter-attack through Walcott's pace.
Live update
Wenger's pre-match thoughts
Live update
Walcott in a central position
It looks as though Theo Walcott is playing in a central role from the start for Arsenal, as the Gunners go looking for the early breakthrough.Here are some pre-match ramblings from the Manchester United boss:
1 mins
Minute by minute
Arsenal get us under way here at Old Trafford. The man in charge of the cards for today's encounter is Craig Pawson.
Key event
PEEEP! Off we go at Old Trafford
The teams are out, the warm-ups completed and hands shaken.That means we’re just one small ad break away from kick-off.
And there we go, as Arsenal get us under way.
Minute by minute
Both sets of players are stripped and raring to go as
they leave the tunnel and enter onto the field here at Old Trafford. We
are just moments away from seeing the action start to unfold.
Richard Innes
Quiz time
Less than 10 minutes until we get under way at Old Trafford.Which is just about enough time to get your quiz hat on and tackle this set of fiendishly difficult Arsene Wenger vs Manchester United questions from the Row Zed team to test your knowledge on the Arsenal boss’s record against the Red Devils.
David McDonnell
David McDonnell checks in from Old Trafford
Marcus Rashford’s reward for his two-goal heroics in midweek against FC Midtjylland is a first Premier League appearance, with Anthony Martial failing to prove his fitness in time.Chris Smalling, who, along with Martial, missed the 5-2 Europa League win in midweek, also missed out, with Michael Carrick partnering Daley Blind in central defence.
Photo: Reuters / Phil Noble
Live update
Manchester United's young bench
Over on Twitter there’s an awful lot of agog posters wondering just why Louis van Gaal has named such an inexperienced bench.It’s simple - owing to injuries, he has no choice.
Sergio Romero is the wise old head, with Adnan Januzaj the only real player with significant first-team experience.
Paddy McNair, Joe Riley, Tomothy Fosu-Mensah, James Weir and Andreas Pereira are all in the match-day squad today.
While Van Gaal arrived at Old Trafford with a reputation for nurturing youngsters, he will not have intended to have blooded quite so many Carrington starlets this season.
Photo: John Peters
Richard Innes
Who was better: '99 United or '04 Arsenal?
A match between Man United and Arsenal at Old Trafford SHOULD be a massive title-decider.Of course, this season, it’s not. But it wasn’t long ago that clashes between these two sides were EPIC . Around the turn of the century, matches between Fergie’s Red Devils and Arsene’s Gunners saw the two best sides of the Premier League era going toe-to-toe.
These were two unique teams with two unique achievements . Manchester United’s incredible treble in 1999; Arsenal’s ridiculous unbeaten season in 2003/04.
We could go into a massive, long-winded analysis of which feat was the more difficult or significant, but that would be boring and pointless. Instead, we’ve (tried to) pick the best XI possible if we could hypothetically combine these two amazing squads.
Live update
Timothy Fosu-Mensah makes the bench for United...
There’s a new name on the Manchester United bench today, as 18-year-old Timothy Fosu-Mensah gets the nod.Manchester United moved to snap up the highly-rated youngster from Ajax last summer and if he is able to reach his potential, the Red Devils will have a real star on their hands.
His size belittles his tender years, with the teenager looking like he is physically ready to make the step up to United’s Under-21 side.
Able to play at centre-back or further forwards as a central midfielder, Fosu-Mensah adheres to the Dutch traditions of being technically excellent with the ball, as he has a good footballing brain on his shoulders.
He also has pace and the kind of attitude that could see him emerge as a leader as his career develops. He signed a three-year deal at the club last year, so United should give him plenty of time to reach his potential.
Photo: Getty
Minute by minute
ARSENAL substitutes: Ospina, Gibbs, Giroud, Mertesacker, Campbell, Elneny, Iwobi.
Minute by minute
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Coquelin; Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez; Welbeck.
Minute by minute
MANCHESTER UNITED substitutes: Romero, Januzaj, McNair, Pereira, Weir, Riley, Fosu-Mensah.
Minute by minute
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Varela, Carrick, Blind, Rojo; Schneiderlin, Herrera; Lingard, Mata, Depay; Rashford.
Minute by minute
TEAM NEWS: Arsene Wenger has made three alterations to
the team which started Arsenal's 2-0 loss at the hands of Barcelona on
Tuesday. Gabriel comes into the backline while Theo Walcott and Danny
Welbeck start in attack. Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud drop to the
bench with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out through injury.
Minute by minute
TEAM NEWS: Louis van Gaal has made just two changes to
the side which started United's 5-1 thrashing of Midtjylland on
Thursday. David De Gea and Marcos Rojo come into the first 11 for
Arsenal's visit, while midweek hero Marcus Rashford keeps his place up
front. Teenager Timothy Fosu-Mensah is amongst the substitutes.
Minute by minute
Arsenal, on the other hand, secured that memorable
last-gasp 2-1 win over Leicester City a couple of weeks back but have
suffered two blows since then, drawing to Hull City in the FA Cup before
losing in the late stages against Barcelona on Tuesday. The Gunners
need to respond well and a game with United is the perfect stage to do
so.
Minute by minute
United are heading into today's affair with confidence on
their side after picking up morale-boosting wins over Shrewsbury and
Midtjylland across two cup competitions. Every time they have threatened
to go on a run this season, though, they've slipped up so this match is
a huge test of their character.
Live update
Stat corner
More on Rashford now.The Manchester-born lad became the club’s youngest-ever scorer on Thursday, breaking none other than Geroge Best’s record.
He also became the 13th United youth team player to score on his first-team debut and the fourth to bag a brace.
Here’s another juicy stat from Opta:
Minute by minute
Good afternoon and welcome to our LIVE text commentary on
today's Premier League clash between Manchester United and Arsenal from
Old Trafford. Kick-off is at 2:05pm.
Live update
Can Rashford do it again?
Marcus Rashford has been the talk of the town since his Europa League brace against FC Midtjylland on Thursday evening and has now been handed his Premier League debut for Manchester United.Can he do it again? He goes up against a changed Arsenal back-line, where Per Mertesacker drops out for Gabriel.
In case you’ve been living in a cave and has no idea who this Rashford fella is, then check out our profile of the teenager here.
Photo: Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Key event
Three changes for Arsenal
And here’s your Arsenal team for the day.Arsene Wenger has made three changes to the side that lost to Barcelona midweek, with Walcott, Gabriel and Welbeck all returning to the starting line-up.
Here’s how the Frenchman is sending out his troops:
- Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Gabriel. Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez, Welbeck
- Subs: Opsina, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Elneny, Campbell, Iwobi, Giroud
Key event
Team news: Rashford starts for Man United
Our teams are in and we kick off with the home side.The headline news here is that Marcus Rashford keeps his place in the starting XI, as Martial is still recovering from the injury he picked up in the warm-up on Thursday.
A huge test for the teenage.
Elsewhere, there are very few options up front for Van Gaal...
- Manchester United: De Gea; Varela, Carrick, Blind, Rojo; Schneiderlin, Herrera; Lingard, Mata, Memphis; Rashford
- Subs: Romero, McNair, Riley, Fosu-Mensah, Weir, Januzaj, A.Pereira
Live update
Arsenal are in the building
Only about ten or so minutes until we get our team news in.There are plenty of rumours going around that Marcus Rashford will be keeping his place in the United XI this afternoon, following his two-goal debut midweek.
It’s be intersting to see how the 18-year-old can cope with the huge step up in class that Arsenal will present, as some of Midtjylland’s defending on Thursday night was not of the highest quality.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have arrived. Which is good news for all concerned...
Live update
Wenger: There will be no collapse this season
Arsene Wenger insists his side won’t blow the title again – because their team spirit is much better than the bottlers of the past.The Gunners are in with a great chance of their first Premier League triumph sincethe Invincibles’ historic achievements of 2003-4.
Since then they have been a part of the title run-in on several occasions – only to fall away, in typical Arsenal style, in the latter stages.
Wenger, however, rejects the idea that his teams have choked at the prospect of winning silverware.
But he admitted: “There is a perception that Arsenal fades in March and April. It is true we have lost the championship once or twice.
“But if you look over 20 years we have always finished stronger in the second part of the season.
Read more from the Frenchman here.
Photo: Reuters /
Live update
Rooney must wear knee brace for next two weeks
Wayne Rooney is facing two more scans after his injured knee was put in a brace for the next two weeks.Manchester United’s medical team want the additional scans to be certain the injury is healing correctly while Rooney’s knee is immobilised in a bid to aid his recovery.
Boss Louis van Gaal has played down fears that Rooney may have needed surgery after being crocked at Sunderland – but United are taking no chances, writes Steve Bates in the Sunday People.
With the brace not coming off until mid-March it may be the beginning of April before Rooney is back playing again for United.
Photo: Ian MacNicol
Live update
LVG on Memphis Deapy
Louis van Gaa has revealed that it took him just 10 minutes to realise that Memphis Depay is a special talent.And the Manchester United boss is unwilling to change his first impressions – despite seeing the Dutch winger endure a torrid first season at Old Trafford.
Depay, a £25million signing from PSV Eindhoven last summer, has struggled to justify either his price-tag or big reputation.
But Van Gaal will not give up on the 22-year-old.
“The first time I saw Depay was in the first year of my time as the national coach,” said LVG.
Photo: AFP/Getty
Live update
Alexis Sanchez previews today's action
Alexis Sanchez insists his club’s clash with Manchester United is a must-win game for Arsenal.The Chilean is desperate for the Gunners to recover the hunger they showed last October when they thrashed United 3-0 at the Emirates.
Sanchez, who scored twice in that game, said: “That really was the best match we’ve played all season.
“We went out there and put pressure on them having gone out with the mentality to win.
“That day, before we all went out for the match, if you looked into the eyes of all the players you could see we all had this hunger to win.
Photo: Getty
Live update
Greetings all
Morning folks and welcome to a huge game in the Premier League, as two of English football’s biggest rivals get ready to lock horns this afternoon.Manchester United versus Arsenal is perhaps the most high-profile fixture in the history of the Premier League and today’s clash at Old Trafford should be a doozy.
Visitors Arsenal head north knowing that anything less than a three-point haul will be hugely damaging for their title hopes after seeing Leicester pull five points clear at the top of the league following their last-gasp win over Norwich yesterday.
Wenger’s men will also need to keep pace with their local rivals Tottenham, who they begin the day level on points with, before Spurs take on Swansea at White Hart Lane alongside this game,
Manchester United are currently languishing in sixth place following West Ham’s win over Sunderland yesterday.
Louis van Gaal’s long-term job prospects are about as slim as their title hopes and a win for the Dutchman is a must if he is to begin silencing the naysayers. Still, he has a new hero in Marcus Rashford, after the teenager bagged a brace on his debut in the 5-1 win over FC Midtjylland on Thursday night.
Will United draw on this momentum or can the Gunners get their title bid back on track?
Either way, it should be a good ‘un, so settle in and let’s get cracking.
Photo: Mathew peters/Man utd/Getty
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