Manchester United welcomed what was an out of form Arsenal to Old Trafford for Ole Gunnar Solskjærs 100th game as Manchester United boss. The visitors came away as worthy 0-1 winners, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang converted from the spot on 69 minutes, the hosts unable to find a reply.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be particularly pleased as his side had not won a Premier League game at Old Trafford since 2006. Arsenal seemed to have the edge technically, tactically and physically across the 90 minutes, reducing their bitter rivals to an unfamiliar xG of 0.23
Perhaps the UEFA Champions League demands this past week was too much on Solskjærs men going into this game. However, besting Arsenal in possession for extended periods of the game chances came few and far between.
The tactical analysis below looks at the key aspects of both sides performance, here we analyse the tactics that ultimately decided both teams fate as well as all the major talking points that took centre-stage.
Lineups
Manchester United: 4-3-1-2
Solskjær makes two changes to the side that triumphed 5-0 over RB Leipzig midweek. Suspended Anthony Martial exits the squad this week, while Nemanja Matić starts on the bench making way for Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes. In the second half Fred, Fernandes and Mason Greenwood return to the bench to facilitate the fresh legs of Matić, Donny Van De Beek and Edison Cavani.
Arsenal: 3-4-2-1
Mohammad Elneny is the only player that kept his spot in the team that won 3-0 victory against Dundalk in the Europa League this past week. Bernd Leno started in goal while Keiran Tierney, Gabriel and Rob Holding make up the back three. Operating on the flanks was Bukayo Saka and Héctor Bellerín while inside was Elneny and new midfield powerhouse Thomas Partey. While Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Willian made up the front three from left to right respectively.
