Man Utd player ratings vs Arsenal: One scores 7/10 as another earns 3/10 in 3-1 loss - gallery

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal scores the team's third goal past Andre Onana of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on September 03, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal scores the team's third goal past Andre Onana of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on September 03, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Manchester United suffered a heart-breaking 3-1 defeat against Arsenal on Sunday, with Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus netting dramatic injury-time goals at the Emirates.

Martin Odegaard and Marcus Rashford had scored within two minutes of each other in the first half, and United had looked set for a point prior to the late strikes from Rice and Jesus, that leaves the Red Devils on six points after four Premier League games this season.

It was the hosts who started better in North London and carried a direct attacking threat, especially on the left via the excellent Gabriel Martinelli. The Gunners should have taken the lead early on but Kai Havertz failed to connect properly with the ball, while Rice also went close with a header.

The goalkeeper’s kicking was accurate and brave, even if it United fans may have felt nervous watching it. Onana made a great save to deny Saka, but will be disappointed not to do better for Rice’s goal.
The goalkeeper’s kicking was accurate and brave, even if it United fans may have felt nervous watching it. Onana made a great save to deny Saka, but will be disappointed not to do better for Rice’s goal.

But when the goal came it was from a rare United attack. Christian Eriksen intercepted a pass from Havertz and drove forward, before slipping an inch-perfect pass into the channel for Rashford. The attacker then drove into the box, cut inside and fired at goal. Arsenal stopper Aaron Ramsdale managed to get a hand to the ball but couldn’t divert it away from hitting the post and rebounding in.

Yet the lead lasted for just 109 seconds, with Odegaard grabbing an almost immediate equaliser. Unsurprisingly, it came from good play down Arsenal’s left, with Martinelli cutting the ball back to Arsenal’s Danish midfielder at the edge of the box, and he finished first time past Andre Onana.

United tried to find a way back into the game as Rashford again drove forward and shot in the 39th minute, but this time it flew wide, while Bukayo Saka saw his attempt deflect out for a corner in first-half injury time.

At the beginning of the second half, Ramsdale had to be on hand to stop Anthony Martial at the near post, with Rashford’s follow-up effort blocked by William Saliba. Five minutes later and Arsenal were denied a penalty when Havertz went down in the box under the challenge of Wan-Bissaka, but after a pitchside monitor check, referee Anthony Taylor decided there wasn’t enough contact to give a spot-kick, as he’d previously awarded.

Had an ongoing battle with Martinelli, one the Brazilian came out on top of. On another day Wan-Bissaka’s awkward challenge could have resulted in an Arsenal penalty midway through the second period.
Had an ongoing battle with Martinelli, one the Brazilian came out on top of. On another day Wan-Bissaka’s awkward challenge could have resulted in an Arsenal penalty midway through the second period.

The Gunners intensified their search for a winner as the game moved into the final 30 minutes, with Martinelli curling just wide from the edge of the area, while Saka should have converted from Ben White’s low cross into the box, but Onana made an instinct save to keep it out.

In the 90th minute, United thought they’d grabbed the winner as Casemiro played a perfectly weighted pass into Garnacho, who coolly slotted past Ramsdale.  But the Argentinian had gone frantically early, and a VAR check showed he was just offside.

It proved a particularly significant moment as Rice grabbed a crucial injury-time goal. The summer signing controlled the ball on his chest from a corner and struck the ball towards Onana's front post. The ex-Inter Milan stopper got a touch to the ball but couldn't keep it out, in what was a disappointing moment.

Rice's goal had looked set to be the winner before Arsenal launched a counter attack in the 10th minute of stoppage time. Jesus went in on goal, sat down the desperate Jonny Evans, and then slotted it past Onana, to the delight of the home fans.

Was booked for a dangerous tackle on Eddie Nketiah in the first half and was pulled out of centre-back on a few occasions.
Was booked for a dangerous tackle on Eddie Nketiah in the first half and was pulled out of centre-back on a few occasions.

Here's how we rated United's players...

Was good on the ball but had a few defensive moments where he didn’t look comfortable. The defender was replaced with an injury.
Was good on the ball but had a few defensive moments where he didn’t look comfortable. The defender was replaced with an injury.
Didn’t play brilliantly and gave the ball away a few times. But the full-back kept Saka quiet for the majority of the match on United’s left.
Didn’t play brilliantly and gave the ball away a few times. But the full-back kept Saka quiet for the majority of the match on United’s left.
Solid in possession without creating much from the base of midfield.
Solid in possession without creating much from the base of midfield.
Played some nice passes, particularly for Rashford’s early goal.
Played some nice passes, particularly for Rashford’s early goal.
Lots of hustle and bustle, but not much quality on the ball from United’s no.18.
Lots of hustle and bustle, but not much quality on the ball from United’s no.18.
Put in a good shift defensively and had a few dangerous moments, although they weren’t regular enough to cause Arsenal any real concerns.
Put in a good shift defensively and had a few dangerous moments, although they weren’t regular enough to cause Arsenal any real concerns.
Most of the striker’s touches were awkward and heavy. Martial looked sluggish and off the pace before being replaced.
Most of the striker’s touches were awkward and heavy. Martial looked sluggish and off the pace before being replaced.
Carried the biggest attacking threat for United and was dangerous flying down the left wing. The attacker took his goal well, Rashford’s first of the season.
Carried the biggest attacking threat for United and was dangerous flying down the left wing. The attacker took his goal well, Rashford’s first of the season.
Looked nervous on the ball and tended to play it long.
Looked nervous on the ball and tended to play it long.
Made his debut and looked like a physical unit without having an joy up against Arsenal’s defenders.
Made his debut and looked like a physical unit without having an joy up against Arsenal’s defenders.
Jonny Evans (on 85)
Jonny Evans (on 85)
Alejandro Garnacho (on 8)
Alejandro Garnacho (on 8)