Manchester United left it very late to clinch all three points against arch rivals Arsenal at the Old Trafford on Sunday.
Manchester United strengthened their hold on the second position in the Premier League table when they beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Old Trafford, in what was Arsene Wenger’s final trip to the Theatre of Dreams.
Paul Pogba gave the Red Devils the lead in the 16th minute, when he hit home a rebound after Alexis Sanchez’s header had bounced back off the woodwork. The visitors hit back early in the second period, when Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored against his former club with a terrific strike from 20 yards out.
The game looked to be petering out towards a draw, but Manchester United weren’t done though as substitute Marouane Fellaini headed home a lovely Ashley Young cross from the left to send the home support into a tizzy and seal the three points for his team.
This. Team. Never. Gives. Up. #MUFC ? pic.twitter.com/LhEgxBAMsp
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 29, 2018
It was Wenger’s 18th defeat in 28 games at the Old Trafford and put United five points clear of third-placed Liverpool with a game in hand. Here’s how we rated the performances of Mourinho’s players on the day;
David De Gea: 6/10
The Spaniard did not have a lot to do between the sticks but was alert when he needed to make routine saves. Not a lot he could do about Mkhitaryan’s strike. A comfortable day in the office.
Antonio Valencia: 5.5/10
The Manchester United captain was once again solid and steady in defence but did not offer a whole lot going forward down the right-hand side. His crossing has been below par for quite a while now and that is something that Mourinho will need to address.
Chris Smalling: 6/10
The Englishman had another fairly steady outing in the heart of the defence for the Red Devils. Hesitated a bit in the lead up to Mkhitaryan’s goal and missed a great chance to score in the second period when found inside the box by Anthony Martial. Made an important tackle late in the game on Danny Welbeck.
Victor Lindelof: 7/10
Handed a start ahead of Phil Jones and Eric Bailly, the Swedish international was impressive alongside Smalling at the back. Read the game well and kept the pacey Arsenal attackers under check. A major confidence-boosting outing for the summer signing.
A cool, calm and collected from the iceman today.
Congratulations, @VLindelof, you are #MUFC's Man of the Match! ? pic.twitter.com/7HjJEFRNdF
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 29, 2018
Ashley Young: 6.5/10
The veteran England international put in another reliable display on the left-hand side of the back four for the Red Devils. Had a shot bounce back off the woodwork in the first period and played in a peach of a cross to set Fellaini up for the winning goal late in the game.
Ander Herrera: 6/10
Another energetic display in the middle of the park from the former Athletic Bilbao star on Sunday. Ran hard, covered ground well but was culpable for Mkhitaryan’s goal as he misjudged the pass from Valencia allowing his former teammate to capitalize.
Nemanja Matic: 6.5/10
The Serbian powerhouse did his defensive duties with usual diligence and discipline, screening the back four against the Arsenal midfielders. Won his fair share of possession in the middle of the park and was once again a key presence for the Red Devils.
Paul Pogba: 7/10
Started the move for the opener with a surging run from the midfield, before finding Lukaku with a precise pass and was on hand to expertly volley home the rebound. Tried to exert his influence on the game and showed his quality on the ball on a number of occasions.
Jesse Lingard: 5.5/10
Worked hard in the final third but not everything he tried came off. His decision making was a bit frustrating at times and his passing too let down on a few occasions. Not one of his best days on the field and it wasn’t a surprise when he was subbed off after the equalizer.
Romelu Lukaku: 6.5/10
Great cross to Sanchez in the lead up to the opener. His hold-up play at the top was once again top notch and work rate once again admirable. So, it was a bit of a blow for the home team when he came off injured five minutes after the restart. Mourinho will be hoping that it is nothing very serious.
Alexis Sanchez: 6.5/10
Almost found the back of the net against his former employers, but his headed effort bounced back off the post from which Pogba scored. His work rate off the ball was once again impressive and understanding with his teammates seems to be getting better with every passing game. However, United are still to see the best of him.
Substitutes
Marcus Rashford: 5.5/10
Replaced the injured Lukaku five minutes into the second period. Added pace in the final third but did not have much of an impact. Had a goal ruled out for offside in the 89th minute.
What a time to score! #MUFC pic.twitter.com/qUPpA3S4YX
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 29, 2018
Marouane Fellaini: 7/10
Came on to replace Lingard in the 64th minute. Added a physical presence in the box. Missed a great chance to win the game, but made amends soon after with a fine header in stoppage time to bag all three points for his side.
Anthony Martial: 6.5/10
On for Herrera a little after the hour mark. Added more incisiveness and urgency to the United attack with his pace and directness. Set Smalling up with a nice pass, but the Englishman spurned the chance. A bright cameo.
