Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United: 5 Men that flopped for Solskjaer

Manchester United were defeated by Arsenal
Manchester United were defeated by Arsenal

Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-0 at the Emirates in the Premier League to end Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's unbeaten run with the Red Devils in the English top flight. Granit Xhaka and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang scored for the Gunners in a win which takes them to 4th, while United drop to 5th.

Arsenal started the game brilliantly. They created a few openings but Manchester United hit the crossbar through Romelu Lukaku after he was found by Luke Shaw from the left. Granit Xhaka gave Arsenal the lead after his long-range effort confused David de Gea.

The Gunnars' second goal came through a penalty which was won by Alexandre Lacazette. Aubameyang put the penalty in to secure the points for the London outfit and give them a huge win, in context to the top 4 battle.

The loss can be termed as a bad day at the office for Manchester United as they clearly looked the better side on the day, but just couldn't take their chances.

So, in this article, we discuss the 5 players who flopped for the Red Devils:


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#5 Nemanja Matic

Matic put in a poor show
Matic put in a poor show

Nemanja Matic came into the side after a long injury layoff and looked a bit lethargic from the start. He wasn't really helping Fred in the middle of the park and it looked like the Brazilian was doing all the hard work. The Serbian didn't win the duels as he used to and also wasn't able to hold onto the proceedings in the middle of the field.

He grew into the game as the second half progressed, but it was too late for the Red Devils. Matic played a few good passes when he got on the ball, but he was dominated by Granit Xhaka for a long time in the game. Solskjaer would have probably expected more from the veteran midfielder.

#4 Paul Pogba

A disappointing display from Pogba
A disappointing display from Pogba

The Frenchman came into this game after missing the match against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League due to suspension. Pogba started very slowly and he looked off paced. He was giving away balls very cheaply and his touches also weren't up to the mark.

He grew into the game in the first half, but he was poor in the second half. It was an off day for the Frenchman and this was probably his worst performance under Solskjaer.

#3 Victor Lindelof

The defender also misfired
The defender also misfired

Victor Lindelof for the first time under Solskjaer looked a bit shaky at the back. The Swedish center back has played many matches in the last month for Manchester United and fatigue probably had a say in this match.

He let Alexandre Lacazette off his sight many times in the match and he was also giving away possession. The Iceman didn't have much of a calm performance against Arsenal.

#2 Marcus Rashford

The attacker couldn't inspire the team up front
The attacker couldn't inspire the team up front

Marcus Rashford came into this match in top form, but he just couldn't produce the goods at the Emirates. His overall play was brilliant, but his final touch let him down a lot. He missed quite a few chances and was lacking that final ball.

The Englishman looked a bit jaded and lethargic in the match and that could be due to the fact that he has played almost every match for the Red Devils in the last month. Marcus would be very disappointed with his performance.

#1 David de Gea

The Spaniard flopped between the sticks
The Spaniard flopped between the sticks

David De Gea didn't have a good outing at the Emirates this time out after his heroics last season. Arsenal's first goal should have been really saved by the Spaniard. Granit Xhaka's hit was curling in the air, but the wind isn't an excuse for one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Solskjaer would be very disappointed by the manner in which the first goal came for Arsenal. Manchester United looked the better team on the day, but the Gunners were more clinical than the Red Devils.

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