Manchester United secured a dramatic 3-2 win over Premier League leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, boosting their Champions League hopes under interim manager Michael Carrick. The Red Devils came from behind twice, with goals from Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu, and Matheus Cunha sealing the points. Arsenal's first home defeat of the season narrows their lead at the top to four points.
The match on January 25, 2026, kicked off at 4:30 p.m. GMT, with Arsenal starting strongly and dominating possession in the opening half-hour. They took the lead in the 29th minute when Martin Ødegaard's shot deflected off Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez into his own net, following pressure from a corner.
United equalized eight minutes later after a misplaced pass from Arsenal's Martín Zubimendi fell to Bryan Mbeumo, who calmly rounded goalkeeper David Raya to make it 1-1. The visitors carried momentum into the second half, taking the lead in the 50th minute through Patrick Dorgu's superb curled strike from the edge of the area after a exchange with Bruno Fernandes.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta responded with four substitutions around the hour mark, including Viktor Gyökeres, Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino, and Ben White. The changes paid off in the 84th minute when Merino reacted quickest to bundle the ball over the line from a Bukayo Saka delivery, leveling the score at 2-2.
However, United struck back immediately. In the 87th minute, Kobbie Mainoo found substitute Matheus Cunha, who curled a low shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards. Arsenal pushed late, with Gyökeres twice denied by United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, but the visitors held on for a crucial win.
Carrick praised his team's character: "We showed the character to come back... It's a big moment." Arteta took responsibility: "We were not at our best... I have to protect the players." Ødegaard added: "It was not good enough from us and we need some time to analyse it."
The result lifts United to fourth, above Liverpool, while Arsenal remain top but four points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa. United's clinical finishing—three shots on target, three goals—contrasted Arsenal's wastefulness, with 15 shots but only four on target.
