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:
5. Diogo Dalot - 5
He was improved in the right wing-back role and could have scored on the stroke of half-time. Not as comfortable in the second-half once he moved back to the left. | Getty Images
6. Tyrell Malacia - 6
A huge improvement from his performance a week ago. Made a crucial recovery tackle moments after he had been booked before being taken off at half-time. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
7. Manuel Ugarte - 5
A pest in the best possible way. He added energy to the midfield and broke up the play well, though he struggled once United went behind. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
8. Bruno Fernandes - 5
He embraced the more refined central midfield role. Although he wasn't as creative as usual, he pressed well and nullified Martin Odegaard. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images