Old Trafford welcomed a new hero but the outcome felt all too familiar.
It was as if new £85.5m Brazil winger Antony was the galvanising force with the opening goal to bring the stadium to life and kickstart Erik ten Hag’s revolution. Even Cristiano Ronaldo, still on the bench, rose to his feet, clapped his hands above his head and joined in with the Manchester United fans as they celebrated the moment 35 minutes into Antony’s debut.
Marcus Rashford’s second-half double ultimately won the game and this was a big moment for Ten Hag and also Christian Eriksen who was outstanding as he battled brilliantly from midfield. But after the nightmare start, it is now four wins in a row for United and, while Arsenal played well and dominated for long periods, Mikel Arteta’s men faltered in their first real test of the season.
Arsenal stay top of the Premier League after winning their first five games and played some pretty football but they were not ruthless enough and did not take their chances when it really mattered.
That was the difference between the two teams in that United showed real character, they are growing with each game under Ten Hag and, while they are a long way from the finished article, the signs are very promising. Antony is a box of tricks, a show pony but also an entertainer and his arrival might just be what this team needs because he gives them a new dimension.
Eriksen was also outstanding as his work rate, his passing and his vision was terrific and could be one of the best stories of the season when you consider his remarkable comeback and, on this evidence, still looks one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
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Arteta can take a lot of heart from the way his team played and took the game to United but that still feels like damning them with faint, patronising praise. Arsenal have been here so many times before - play pretty football but end up losing. And the outcome is still the same.
When they came to Old Trafford in February 2016, they were top and threatening to challenge but lost and ironically it was Rashford who scored twice when United won 3-2. Once again, Arsenal were not able to deliver a statement result or performance.
Arsenal started so well, Gabriel Martinelli had the ball in the net after just 12 minutes only for VAR to rule Martin Odegaard fouled Eriksen in the build-up. Referee Paul Tierney did not spot it, VAR Lee Mason re-refereed it and, while it was a foul, it was not that clear or obvious.
Martinelli saw a diving header brilliantly saved by United keeper David de Gea and then the home side gave the visitors a lesson in clinical finishing.
Bruno Fernandes pushed forward, Gabriel lunged in but ref Tierney played a clever advantage, Jadon Sancho found Rashford who played in Antony who finished with great style and composure. The roof came off Old Trafford.
Arsenal did not give up. Odegaard missed a glorious chance. Bukayo Saka skewed another wide. Then Arsenal levelled after 60 minutes. Granit Xhaka won the ball in midfield, Odegaard fed Gabriel Jesus, Diogo Dalot made a challenge and Saka slotted in the loose ball. Game on.
But from there, it was United who seized the moment. Albert Sambi Lokonga played a careless pass, Bruno Fernandes’ through ball released Rashford who stormed through before firing home to restore United’s lead after 66 minutes.
Nine minutes later, Fernandes fed Eriksen who broke forward and his pass set up Rashford to slot coolly into the net in front of England No2 Steve Holland and more performances like that will surely get him back in the international frame.
