Resurgent Man Utd ends Arsenal’s 100% record
MANCHESTER: Remember that time, not so long ago, when there was a crisis at Manchester United?
After four straight wins, it seems like a dim and distant memory.
The latest sign that United is well on the road to recovery came yesterday with a 31 win over Arsenal, whose 100% start to the season came crashing to an end.
There were still antiGlazer chants inside and outside Old Trafford — it feels like they are here to stay, whether the team wins or loses — but they are now accompanied by frequent and jubilant roars for goals.
Two of them were scored in the second half by Marcus Rashford to sweep United to victory after Arsenal pulled it back to 11 through Bukayo Saka, but it was the opening goal which felt the most significant.
Antony, United’s latest big signing from Ajax for £86 million ($NZ162 million), marked his first match in English football with a goal from a curling, firsttime finish in the 35th minute.
That crowned a performance that featured a slew of jinks, feints and exaggerated stepovers that thrilled home fans.
He came off in the 58th minute to a standing ovation to be replaced by Cristiano Ronaldo, who again had to settle for a starting spot on the bench.
Since that humiliating 40 loss at Brentford which sparked a crisis and some doubts around the wisdom of hiring Erik ten Hag as manager, United has beaten Liverpool, Southampton, Leicester and now Arsenal, the league leader.
After six games, United is now only three points behind Arsenal and two behind champion Manchester City, the title favourite.
But there is a strong chance that Brendan Rodgers will not be Leicester manager by the time the Foxes play their next game.
Leicester was embarrassed in a 52 loss at Brighton, leaving Rodgers’ team in last place on one point from six games while the Seagulls move to fourth, just two points adrift of Arsenal.
The defending was extremely soft as goals by Moises Caicedo, Leandro Trossard and Alexis Mac Allister, via a penalty and a direct free kick, along with an owngoal by Luke Thomas allowed Brighton to cruise to a victory that could have been even heavier.
That is 16 goals conceded by Leicester already and it seems neglectful for the club to have signed only one outfield player and a thirdchoice goalkeeper in the summer transfer market, given the state of the squad.
Rodgers even called out Leicester’s owners in midweek, saying he had ‘‘not had the help in the [transfer] market this team needed.’’