Manchester United stun Arsenal 3-1 at Old Trafford as Antony nets in debut game
Manchester United defeated Arsenal 3-1 at Old Trafford Sunday as new signing Antony nets while making his debut for Erik ten Hag’s side. An opener from the former Ajax man and a double from Marcus Rashford in the second extend Red Devils’ winning streak to four while Arsenal’s unbeaten run ends at Match-day 6 of the Premier League.
Manchester United showed a resilient performance to break Arsenal’s perfect start to the season after 3-1 win at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Gunners entered the game as one of the three unbeaten sides in the league, together with Man City and Tottenham, winning all previous five games- a massive record in start of a season for Mikel Arteta since becoming Arsenal boss in December 2019.
Manchester United have got on the right track from damaging defeats to Brighton and Brentford in the first two games of the season- with three straight victories over Liverpool, Southampton and, on Thursday evening, Leicester.
There was a huge United squad boost ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline day after the Reds completing the signing of one of the World’s most exciting wingers Antony from Ajax that marked the Brazilian’s reunion with former boss Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag’s confidence in Antony was imminent calling the former Ajax star into action in Premier League bigger game against flying-high Arsenal on Sunday evening.
Coincidentally, it was ten Hag’s latest new naming in the starting XI that salvaged Manchester United from a very dominant Arsenal period that Arteta’s side should have taken the lead.
Antony paid back his boss in a good coin after a well calculated team move saw the Brazilian International inside the right of the box curled the ball to the far posts to give Manchester United the lead 10′ minutes to end the first half.
Despite United going into the break with a 1-0 advantage, it was Arsenal that looked the better side of possession and overall team play but they lacked the precision for penetrations.
Bukayo Saka levelled in the second half (60th minute) to get Arsenal back into the game, and perhaps, a compensation for their dominance but United who were strategic on the day caught the visitors on the break with Bruno Fernandes playing Marcus Rashford through on goal as the English International nets at the bottom left corner to restore United’s lead 6 minutes after Saka’s equalizer.
Rashford scored United’s third goal and his second of the old Premier League title rivalry. Ten Hag introduced Harry Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo, Fred and Casemiro with the last two’s presence making it difficult for Arsenal to continue the dominance.
The victory sees Manchester United move to 5th position with 12 points three more below leaders Arsenal.
