Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Marouane Fellaini late header earned Manchester United a valuable win at Old Trafford against Arsenal as Elneny was excluded from the squad due to injury.
Arsenal played with an inexperienced side, featuring the likes of Mavropanos, Maitland-Niles, and Nelson as they wanted to rest their key players for the Europa League clash against Atletico Madrid next Thursday.
Arsenal’s XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Chambers, Mavropanos, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles, Iwobi, Nelson, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang.
Manchester’s United XI: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Lindelof, Young; Herrera, Matic, Pogba; Lingard, Lukaku, Alexis.
Arsenal started the game well, but Manchester United took advantage of the Gunners’ inexperienced defense, opening the net in the 16th minute through Paul Pogba after Alexis’ header hit the post.
In the second-half Arsenal found the rhythm and dominated the game, which saw Mkhitaryan equalising in the 55th minute after receiving a ball from Granit Xhaka.
In the dying minutes of the game, substitute Fellaini scored a later header, earning the Red Devils the three points.
The win puts Manchester United five points ahead of second-placed Liverpool, while Arsenal remain in sixth place with 57 points.
Arsenal’s next game will be against Atletico Madrid in the return leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-finals next Thursday, while United will be up against Brighton a day later.
