It was a game of set-pieces as Manchester United lost to Arsenal 2-0 in the Premier League on Wednesday night. Ruben Amorim made six changes from the side that defeated Everton at the weekend, with Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford both named on the bench, while Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount came into the line up.
Arsenal started brightly and had a goal disallowed in the opening minutes when Kai Havertz was rightfully adjudged to have been offside before passing to Gabriel Martinelli. A few minutes later they wasted an excellent opportunity to score when Thomas Partey fluffed his lines from close range after a clever corner routine.
United defended better from open play as the match went on, though Arsenal continued to pose a threat from set-pieces and went close to an opener again when Martinelli fired wide of goal from a rebound in the box. United ended the half strongly though and almost went ahead themselves when Diogo Dalot drilled a low effort just wide of the far-post from a tight angle.
Amorim turned to his bench at half-time as Amad replaced Malacia, but it was Arsenal who remained on top and they soon took the lead when Jurrien Timber headed in from a corner to give his side the lead.
The home side proved to be a threat from set-pieces all night and almost doubled their lead when substitute Joshua Zirkzee flicked the ball across his own box only for Manuel Ugarte to clear away the danger on the goal line. United went close through a set-piece of their own when David Raya clawed away a superb header from Matthijs de Ligt.
Arsenal would soon make their dominance count though and they grabbed a second when William Saliba turned the ball in from close range after yet another impressive corner routine. United almost grabbed one back when substitute Antony fired straight at Raya after a clever free-kick routine but in the end it was too little too late as Amorim tasted his first defeat as head coach.
Here is how we rated the United players against Arsenal:
1. Andre Onana - 5
He had a few uncomfortable moments in the United goal and should have been more dominant for both of the Arsenal goals. Made some decent saves to redeem himself. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
2. Matthis de Ligt - 6
A solid enough performance from open play but didn't do enough from the set-pieces that cost United. Almost scored with a magnificent header. | Manchester United via Getty Images
3. Harry Maguire - 6
An impressive return to the United starting line up after so long out but was always going to struggle against the Arsenal aerial bombardment. | Getty Images
4. Noussair Mazraoui - 6
It was another calm and composed performance from United's player of the season so far. Not even the switch to a left centre-back role fazed him. | Getty Images