Five things we learnt as incredible United beat Arsenal 3-2, surge into top four

Manchester United travelled to the Emirates Stadium to face table-topping Arsenal. Senne Lammens started in goal, with Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire at centre-back. Diogo Dalot was once again named at right-back and Luke Shaw at left-back. Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro were once again in the midfield pivot. Bryan Mbeumo was once again deployed as the false nine, with Amad and Patrick Dorgu either side. Here are five things we learnt from the match. Defensive errors after solid start United started the game in solid style and weathered a few storms, as most knew they would have to do. They dealt with the first-half set-piece threat well, but Michael Carrick will have been infuriated by the goal they conceded after 32 minutes. Dorgu, under little pressure, failed to deal with a simple-looking headed clearance, and the ball fell to Martin Ødegaard, who lashed the ball into the box. United’s second mistake came when Lisandro Martinez deflected the ball into his own net under pressure from Gabriel Jesus. The goal was a poor reminder of the past and something that was not on show last week versus Manchester City. Top reaction Many teams would have dropped their shoulders after falling behind to this Arsenal team. Carrick’s team did no such thing and responded bravely. After failing to threaten the Arsenal goal in the first 30 minutes, they pressurised the Gunners in dangerous areas. After missing a couple of chances, United forced Martin Zubimendi into a poor mistake, and Mbeumo punished the hosts in clinical style to bring the Red Devils level. United would have to come back again after Arsenal equalised late on, but they reacted incredibly once more with a stunner from Matheus Cunha. Big game Mbeumo When United signed Mbeumo in the summer, fans knew they were getting one of the most dangerous attackers in the league. He has proven to be just that and scored his eighth goal of the season to drag his side level. However, it is not just the goals he scores, but who he scores against, which adds even more value to the Cameroonian. This season alone, he has scored versus Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and now Arsenal. He really is United’s big game weapon. Sea change of fortune for Dorgu Former manager Ruben Amorim shocked everyone on Boxing Day by playing Dorgu as an attacker. He answered his critics with a fine volley to win the match versus Newcastle United on that day. The Dane also scored the crucial goal against City last weekend, but his best was yet to come. He gave United the lead early in the second half with a stupendous volley and has completely justified his place in the team. Unfortunately, he went off with an apparent hamstring injury, and supporters will be hoping the problem was less serious than it appeared. Matheus Cunha sparks again off the bench Cunha provided a spark and an incredible assist versus Man City last weekend from the bench. He was at it again with an amazing strike to restore United’s lead late on. The Brazilian also carried the ball forward impressively and won fouls in clever positions to alleviate pressure. Featured image Alex Pantling via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.