Manchester United’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League via the top four are all but over after defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.
José Mourinho’s side made eight changes in the wake of their Europa League exploits against Celta Vigo on Thursday night, with Axel Tuanzebe given a Premier League debut at right-back and the likes of David de Gea, Juan Mata and captain Wayne Rooney returning to the side.
The first half was a even, if not outstanding, affair between the two sides, but the game turned on a three-minute spell early in the second half, as Granit Xhaka’s effort from distance deflected off Ander Herrera and looped over a despairing De Gea to give Arsene Wenger’s side the lead.
Former United man Danny Welbeck then put the game to bed, losing Chris Smalling and heading home from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross, handing the Gunners all three points and potentially giving them a way back into the top four race.
For the Reds, there were very little positives to take from the encounter, despite Mourinho’s claim that he was ‘not disappointed’ with his side’s performance. Here are four things we learned from the Emirates today:
Axel looks the part
Having waited so long for his Premier League debut, Axel Tuanzebe proceeded to show everyone what all the fuss was about, producing a performance showing maturity beyond his years.
Playing in an unnatural right-back role, Tuanzebe actually looked like the most comfortable defender on the pitch, shackling Alexis Sanchez and keeping the Chilean quiet, shrugging him off with ease at times.
José Mourinho will have been impressed by his young defender’s performance and here’s hoping that means more chances for Tuanzebe in the centre of defence.
Time's up for Wayne?
Wayne Rooney returned to the United side for his 750th appearance for club and country, but once again showed that the amount of football he’s played over the years is taking its toll.
There were a couple of decent passes in the first half, but he spurned a massive chance after pouncing on a defensive mistake from Arsenal, hitting his effort straight at Petr Cech when he could have squared it instead to Juan Mata.
In the second half, he slotted into midfield as Marcus Rashford was introduced, but it was clear as day that his body has lost the sharpness that his footballing brain may have. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he does leave this summer.
Big fixture - but very little at stake
A couple of years ago, this would have been a heavyweight clash – one that would have decided the Premier League title.
However, these days this fixture has diminished in significance and at times, the atmosphere at the Emirates resembled a testimonial clash rather than a battle for a top four place.
It just shows that both clubs have fallen from the heady heights of yesteryear, but at least United have won a trophy this season, and have the chance of winning a second and qualifying for the Champions League via the Europa League. Arsenal can’t say that.
Europa League or bust
That defeat means that United’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League via a top-four place are virtually over, which only means one thing.
United’s season now rides on the second leg of the Europa League semi-final with Celta Vigo at Old Trafford. Get through that and the Reds will go to Stockholm with a chance of winning the entire thing and qualifying for Europe next season.
Lose however, and Mourinho’s strategy of prioritising the Europa League over a top four place may seem foolish in hindsight. But it is a gamble, and it wouldn’t be United if they didn’t do it the hard way.