After their performances against Arsenal, Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves praised two Manchester United stars.
Manchester United claimed a thrilling 3–2 Premier League victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The visitors spent much of the opening period under pressure as Arsenal controlled proceedings and took the lead via an own goal. United responded well, however, with Bryan Mbeumo punishing a defensive error to draw his side level.
Buoyed by the equaliser, Michael Carrick’s men finished the first half strongly and carried that momentum into the second, where Patrick Dorgu produced a superb strike to put United ahead.
Arsenal later restored parity from a corner, but substitute Matheus Cunha proved decisive, netting a late winner to seal all three points for United.
Dorgu and Cunha impressed against Arsenal
Dorgu was once again the preferred option by Michael Carrick to start at left midfield over Matheus Cunha, but the pair still had key roles to play in the game, with Dorgu scoring to put the side up 2-1, while Cunha scored the winner in the 87th minute.
Speaking on Premier League Productions, former Manchester United players Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves reflected on the pair’s contribution to the game.
On Cunha’s winning goal, Owen said: “I watched him drift in from the left-hand side. As soon as he touched it, I thought: this is where he comes alive. He’s unbelievable from outside the box – long-range shots.”
On Dorgu’s goal, Hargreaves said: “The strike is so pure. Sometimes, on that volley, it just needs to sit up to you…What a finish, he’s absolutely on fire at the moment. It’s amazing.”
Competition for positions good for the squad
Under Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, Manchester United’s depth off the bench looked quite weak, but now that the system has been changed, even though no new players have been signed, there is competition for places in the starting squad all across the pitch.
Dorgu and Cunha are both putting on great performances, and both would feel like they deserve the starting left midfield spot.
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With there now being one less starting centre-back, the defence is another example of the fierce competition there is for a starting place. Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, and, when he returns from injury, Matthijs de Ligt, are all competing for the two centre-back places.
Competition in the squad for starting places can only be seen as a positive, as it will only increase the overall level of the squad, as they will look to give Carrick as big a selection headache as possible, especially considering United only have the Premier League to compete in for the rest of the season.
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