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‘Another unbelievable result’ – but what’s different about Man Utd now?

Arsenal had actually started the game really confidently in many ways, and dominated possession and territory. When they went 1-0 up I thought that would give them complete control but it actually shifted United into gear.

Suddenly they played with a bit more freedom and took a few more risks – and, with the help of Arsenal, they got back into the game.

From the moment Mbeumo equalised, United looked really confident. They went in at half-time with their belief enhanced because of the 1-1 scoreline, then Dorgu goes and scores a wonder goal after the break and all of a sudden they have got something to hang on to, and they are able to play on the counter a bit more.

At that point I think Arsenal helped them again, by making four substitutes at once so soon after going behind, which struck me as a bit of a panic move by Mikel Arteta.

The home fans wanted a change because they wanted some fresh impetus to turn the game around, but among the players who came off was Martin Odegaard, who was looking quite sharp, and Gabriel Jesus, who had done some really good things. I felt making all those substitutions at once meant Arsenal lost some of their rhythm and momentum.

It’s a risk that all those who come on at the same time will have an impact. Arteta might feel it was one worth taking – one of his subs, Mikel Merino, did equalise from a corner – but at that point, United were still playing pretty well, and we know how good Arsenal always are at set-pieces.

At 2-2, with six minutes of the 90 to go, you think a point for both teams is not a bad result but United’s belief was still there in abundance, and so was their quality on the break.

Matheus Cunha’s late goal to win the game was absolutely phenomenal, and was a reward for United’s approach. They were not just there to contain Arsenal, and rattled them.

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