Arsenal 2, Manchester United 0
Ruben Amorim suffered his first defeat as Manchester United manager at the hands of title chasing Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners took full advantage of their aerial superiority at set pieces to take their total of set piece goals to 22 since the start of last season – many more than any other Premier League side.
And Amorim knows the extent of the work that must be done to restore United to title challengers after they were despatched by the Gunners despite their best efforts – leaving them 9 points behind their hosts.
Although United resisted the tide in a tense first half they could not prevent Arsenal from taking a 54th minute lead through a Jurrien Timber header.
Manuel Ugarte had to clear a Joshua Zirkzee intervention from a Declan Rice corner as the Reds struggled to contain Arsenal.
But they could not prevent William Saliba from accidentally extending that lead after Thomas Partey’s header from Bukjayo Saka’s corner went in off his backside.
Chances from United were few – Mathijs de Ligt was denied by David Rays in the second half – but the Gunners looked the more likely to extend that lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesKai Havertz had an effort saved by Onana late in the game as Amorim’s three match unbeaten start came to a crashing halt.
Despite the defeat there were brighter moments for United, who were unable to field Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez due to suspension, but did welcome back long term injured defender Leny Yoro back as a second half substitute for Harry Maguire.
But there will be precious little time to work on improving the team – they have a trip to Viktoria Plzen in the Europa league next week before travelling to the Etihad for the Manchester derby against a City side who look to be emerging from a slump at just the wrong time for the Reds.