Sunday saw a good old fashioned encounter between these two clubs. The fixture has been neglected over the last few years mainly due to Arsenal not pushing for the title but there is a real chance this Arsenal team could clinch the title in a league they have pretty much dominated this season.
The old ground was rocking in anticipation and the Stretford End was in good voice as was the rest of the stadium and there was a real sense of occassion for this much anticipated clash. United made several changes with Chris Smalling returning at Right Back and Phil Jones in the central midfield position. This game saw two young men rise in stature.
The first was David DeGea who made a string of fine saves and his overall dominance to any high ball that came into the box. HE made some vital clearances and one in particular took out Vidic and put him in hospital. There are not many that can put Vidic in hospital!
Phil Jones also had a fine display in a United shirt he continually won ball in the midfield and rarely wasted a ball. HE also made some forward runs and was a thorn in the Arsenal team. When Vidic was taken off, he stepped back to Central defence and was as equally effective and pretty much blunted any Arsenal attack that came his way.
The first half saw United play some great football as Arsenal looked strangely subdued. It was United that made the first and only breakthrough when a Rooney cross was viciously whipped in and Vermaelan cleared for a corner, the subsequent corner by Rooney was met by RVP and his header flew over Gibbs head on the post and United had the lead on 27 minutes. Rooney and RVP tormented the Arsenal defence with there movement and these two are now the looking the real deal. United had several chances to kill of the game with Rooney going close and Smalling near the end of the game but his effort didn't trouble the scorers.
The second half saw Arsenal dominate possession but rarely threatened the goal apart from a couple of crosses which were not converted despite the best attentions of Giroud and Bendnter. It was a vital 3 points as United pushed the difference to 5 points and with City and Tottenham losing United climbed to the dizzy heights of 5th position and are in a good position to move up the table.
Man of the match had to be Phil Jones for his overall play and adapting to change of positions so quickly.
Next up for United after the International break is Cardiff City away.
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