Football
Liam Wheeler 3y

Man United's Paul Pogba one of several 5/10 midfield performers in loss to Arsenal

Arsenal secured a first Premier League victory at Old Trafford since November 2006 as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's second-half penalty sealed a deserved 1-0 victory over old foes Manchester United.

This is a fixture which has produced plenty of fireworks in years gone by, but on this occasion both sides liked a spark in front of goal.

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The visitors dominated in the first half, but they had to wait until after the break to make their pressure count as Aubameyang struck the only goal from the spot after Paul Pogba had fouled Hector Bellerin.

United rallied late on and hit the woodwork through substitute Donny van de Beek, but Solskjaer's men couldn't craft an equaliser and are left languishing in 15th as a result.

Positives

After a dismal opening 45 minutes, United were much better after the break as they fought back in a contest that had threatened to become one-sided. There were bright performances from Harry Maguire and Mason Greenwood too, but they went unrewarded on this occasion.

Negatives

United were subject to relentless first-half pressure from the visitors as they struggled to secure a foothold early in the contest, while the hosts have now gone five games without a win against the Gunners.

Manager rating out of 10

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, 5 -- The Norwegian, taking charge of his 100th United match, switched to a diamond in midfield in Anthony Martial's absence, but that left his side exposed on the flanks off the ball and limited their escape route when they did win back possession.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK David de Gea, 6 -- Despite the Gunners looking the more threatening for most of the game, the United keeper wasn't at his busiest, but he showed good hands to hold on to a Thomas Partey pile-driver.

DF Aaron Wan-Bissaka 5 -- Twice allowed Aubameyang to peel away perilously at the back post and would have paid the price had the Gabon international been a few inches taller. Despite that, he held his own in an intriguing battle with Bukayo Saka.

DF Victor Lindelof, 5 -- His first involvement was an important one as he tidied up a teasing Saka pass towards Partey with 12 minutes on the clock, but he was fortunate to escape unscathed after Saka criminally headed over when unmarked.

DF Harry Maguire, 7 -- More positive signs after a turbulent start to the campaign as the captain produced a commanding display. No hesitancy or unnecessary risk-taking, just a proper centre-half's performance. He even rescued referee Mike Dean's whistle at one point.

DF Luke Shaw, 7 -- The left-back allowed Bellerin enough space to fizz in a frightening low delivery that somehow evaded everyone as United invited trouble, but he generally reacted quickest to tidy up a series of loose passes.

MF Fred, 5 -- The Brazil international won an important early battle against Saka as Arsenal looked to expose extra space wide areas, but he picked up an early booking for hauling down his compatriot Willian and was caught in possession more than once.

MF Scott McTominay, 5 -- Arsenal's passing was perhaps too quick and too slick for him to have his usual effect. The Scot can normally be found hurling himself into midfield battles, but this was a quieter display as United struggled to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

MF Paul Pogba, 5 -- The France international produced a minute of brilliance in the first half, heading away Willian's corner before unleashing Rashford on the left. But he calamitously brought down Bellerin which gifted Arsenal the lead from the spot, which was more typical of his overall performance.

MF Bruno Fernandes, 6 -- Even when United are really up against it, you always feel like United are in the game as long whilst he's still on the pitch. United's talisman started the second half brightly with a deflected effort, but his intent seemed to lift his teammates

FW Mason Greenwood 7 -- The youngster really does look like a natural finisher and he forced a fine save from Bernd Leno with a stinging effort from a tight angle. He produced a nightmare of a cross-field ball with his first involvement, but his energy levels after the break more than made up for it.

FW Marcus Rashford, 7 -- No hat tricks but plenty of kicks as both Rob Holding and Gabriel saw yellow for halting the England man. That didn't stop him causing problems though, and he picked out Greenwood with an exquisite threaded pass.

Substitutes

MF Nemanja Matic, 6 -- Replaced Fred just past the hour mark and almost had an immediate impact as he danced into the box only to be halted by a strong challenge from Gabriel. He could only pick out Leno with a tame effort from distance late on.

MF, Donny van de Beek, NR -- Replaced Fernandes, who for once couldn't unpick the lock in the opposing defence. His replacement almost did, but the Dutchman's deflected effort crashed against the post.

FW Edinson Cavani, NR -- A second Premier League appearance for the former Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli striker, but he never really had a sniff in front of goal in his cameo showing.

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