Manchester United’s hopes of playing Champions League football next season appears over, after they lost 3-1 away to fellow top-four hopefuls Arsenal in a Premier League thriller.
The Red Devils travelled to the Emirates hoping for a response to their 4-0 humiliation by Liverpool. Although, their general display was improved, but they were unconvincing again in the defense.
Nuno Tavares had Arsenal in front early on and a Bukayo Saka penalty made it 2-0 just before Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 100th Premier League goal.
The visitors missed a penalty through Bruno Fernandes earlier which would have made it 2-2, but a wonderful Granit Xhaka strike from 30 yards sealed a 3-1 for the Gunners.
United made another slow start as Saka tested David de Gea after two defenders missed the ball and Tavares tapped in the rebound for a third-minute lead.
The response from United was purposeful. They created several chances, hit the crossbar from range via Dalot and were controversially denied a penalty when Cedric Soares handled in the box.
But Arsenal then increased their lead just past the half-hour.
Eddie Nketiah had a goal disallowed for offside, yet Alex Telles was deemed to have fouled Saka just prior in the same VAR check and the winger converted the resulting penalty.
United swiftly pulled one back, Ronaldo expertly turning in Nemanja Matic’s wonderful curling cross.
They spurned an opportunity to draw level from the spot, though, as Fernandes hit his kick against the post early in the second half – Ronaldo then had a second goal disallowed for a marginal offside.
Dalot struck the goal frame again with United’s next attack and Arsenal capitalised on the profligacy in the 70th minute when Xhaka blasted past De Gea from 30 yards to seal victory.
United are now six points off the top-four spot with four matches to go.
