Manchester United 3 Arsenal 1
Manchester United have registered a fourth win on the bounce following an emphatic 3-1 victory over Arsenal.
In doing so, the Reds also put an end to the visitors' unbeaten start to the new campaign.
An opening goal from Antony on his debut gave Erik ten Hag's side the lead going into the break.
Arsenal pulled one back on the hour mark, but a Marcus Rashford brace sealed the win at Old Trafford.
FIRST HALF
As is expected from a clash between two football giants, the opening 15 minutes was frantic. Despite the Reds starting well, it was Arsenal who almost struck first.
Martin Odegaard dispossesed Christian Eriksen on the half-way line, with Bukayo Saka picking the ball up and slotting it through our defence to find Gabriel Martinelli who comfortably finished beyond David De Gea. But, a goal review courtesy of VAR, deemed Odegaard had fouled Eriksen in the build-up, and the visitors' lead was chalked off.
On the half-hour mark, our shot-stopper made a brilliant save to deny Martinelli an almost certain goal. Just minutes later, United went ahead thanks to debutant Antony.
A wonderful team goal saw the ball go from one end of the pitch to the other in quick succession, with Rashford setting up our newest Brazilian signing with Antony finishing calmly past Ramsdale to open his Reds account. He's the first United player to score on his debut since Donny van de Beek in 2020.
The visitors pushed forward in the latter stages of the first half, but it was Ten Hag's side who went in at the break with the advantage.
Arsenal came out in the second period with a point to prove, creating a handful of opportunities and dominating from the off. Their patience going forward finally paid off when Saka levelled the score on the hour mark. The Reds initially did well to prevent Gabriel Jesus getting a shot on goal, but the ball fell into the path of Saka who made no mistake to slot the ball into a vacant net.
But parity in the scoreline would last just six minutes before Rashford put us ahead once again. Eriksen fed the ball into Fernandes, who played a line-breaking pass beyond Arsenal's defence to find the oncoming Rashford. The Englishman kept his cool to slot past Ramsdale.
Ten minutes later, our number 10 bagged his second strike of the game - and his third goal involvement - with an emphatic finish. Once again, the trio of Fernandes, Eriksen and Rashford combined, to give the Reds breathing space heading into the final 10 minutes.
United have never lost a home Premier League game after leading at half-time - and that proud record remains intact as the game finished 3-1.
MATCH DETAILS
United: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez (Maguire 80), Malacia; McTominay, Eriksen; Antony (Ronaldo 58), Fernandes, Sancho (Fred 67); Rashford (Casemiro 80).
Subs not used: Heaton, Dubravka, Lindelof, Shaw, Elanga.
Goals: Antony 35; Rashford 66, 75.
Bookings: McTominay 71; Maguire 81.
Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko (Nketiah 73); Sambi (Vieira 73), Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard (Smith Rowe 73), Martinelli; Jesus.
Subs not used: Turner, Tomiyasu, Cedric, Holding, Tierney, Marquinhos.
Goals: Saka 60.
Bookings: Saliba 24; Saka 87.
SOCIAL REACTION
What an incredible day! A huge thanks to all MU staff and my teammates!! I'll never forget this day! To United fans, all my affection for this reception! Let's go for more! That´s just the beginning! 🔴⚽️ @ManUtd #Reds #United #MUFC #RedDevils pic.twitter.com/pKdHs5sAy2
— Antony Santos (@antony00) September 4, 2022
Great home win. We are on the right way. Congrats @antony00 for the debut and the goal. Thanks God! #manutd #faith pic.twitter.com/FUIhj9XQ7e
— Fred Rodrigues (@Fred08oficial) September 4, 2022
Amazing support from the first to last minute! We go again on Thursday. 🔴 pic.twitter.com/0T5TESUz0w
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) September 4, 2022
This club, this team, your support !! 😍 pic.twitter.com/i4k9WxRLbn
— Raphaël Varane (@raphaelvarane) September 4, 2022
Well done, lads! And a very special thank you to our supporters! 👏🏽
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) September 4, 2022
Let’s go, Devils! 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/TB2WJRnrQO
23 - Bruno Fernandes has assisted 23 goals in open play in the Premier League, the most of any player in the competition since his debut (Feb 1 2020):
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 4, 2022
23 - Bruno Fernandes
22 - Kevin De Bruyne
22 - Mohamed Salah
21 - Harry Kane
18 - Gabriel Jesus
Moses. pic.twitter.com/FHQpbPgZqU
I'm soo proud of you guys! @ManUtd #ManUtd #MUNARS pic.twitter.com/EMK6NOVDxh
— Patrice Evra (@Evra) September 4, 2022
Short highlights of this game will be published on ManUtd.com and the United App two hours after full-time. Longer versions, including the full 90 minutes, will be available from midnight.