Five things learned: Arsenal 3-2 Manchester United (Premier League)

Manchester United played out a thriller at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon, ending with a gutting but deserved 3-2 loss at the death.

In the first half, United were under a lot of pressure but took an early lead courtesy of one of the goals of the season by Marcus Rashford. Arsenal fired back with an Eddie Nketiah header at the back post, with the score then even going into half-time.

In the second half, Arsenal went 2-1 up with a fantastic strike from Bukayo Saka but Lisandro Martínez responded with his first Manchester United goal in timely fashion. United would concede to Nketiah again in the dying minutes and after this the game was done and dusted.

Here are five things UtdDistrict learnt from the embarrassing collapse at the Emirates:

1) United need a new goalkeeper

David De Gea has improved under Erik ten Hag, but today was one of his worst performances in a while and further proof that as United progress under the Dutchman, a goalkeeper who can play the ball and command his box is a necessity.

It was his lack of these qualities that allowed Arsenal to score their first two goals with such ease. To his credit, he did make a very big save later on but all throughout the game he held United back in possession.

2) Ten Hag’s lack of substitutes proves costly

United’s squad depth is not strong, fans know this. But it is not the case that nobody outside of the XI is available and just eight days after Alejandro Garnacho assisted United’s winner off the bench in the Manchester derby, he was left on the bench until after Arsenal scored their last-minute winner, given United want to tie him down long-term this is not a good look either.

It has been shown time and time again that Christian Eriksen can only play a certain number of minutes before tiring out and there was zero need to keep him on for the full 90 minutes today. Ten Hag’s substitute decisions need to improve if United are to return to the pinnacle of football.

3) Diogo Dalot is still essential

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has had a good run of form lately. But Diogo Dalot is still an essential factor in United’s team. Arsenal’s first goal came from Wan-Bissaka losing the ball under pressure, United conceding a corner then Wan-Bissaka being out of position but losing his man at the back post.

This theme of losing his man at the back post was consistent throughout his game, and his general positioning was poor even with Rapha Varane shouting instructions at him. It was him playing Eddie Nketiah on for the winner at the death after having been out of position initially. These issues when it comes to defensive positioning and playing out of pressure do not exist when Dalot plays, and United need him back ASAP.

4) Marcus Rashford steps up again but has no help

All through the game, United’s offensive tactics were to give the ball to Rashford and let him do the rest. It was a marvellous strike that put United 1-0 up and almost every other chance we had in the game came through him.

This makes it all the more baffling as to why United waited so long to bring on Alejandro Garnacho, Rashford was very clearly in need of some real support in attack but was not given it until the game had been decided.

5) Fred should not be benched in a big game again

Another key contributor in last weekend’s derby win was left on the bench today, and despite being brought on in the 60th minute it felt like a big mistake to not play Fred from the start and both the performance and the result reflected this.

With enforcer Casemiro missing they were always at a disadvantage but not starting Fred saw United completely and utterly overrun in midfield with no fight, no second balls won and no defensive positioning. Arsenal were able to simply walk through them like they were not there and that was a key part in their victory.