Difference-maker: Maguire hails £62.5m hero after Man City and Arsenal wins
Manchester United delivered a thrilling statement at the Emirates, edging Arsenal 3-2 in a pulsating Premier League encounter on Sunday.
An own goal from Lisandro Martinez put the hosts ahead but Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu turned it around for United.
Arsenal refused to fade quietly, with Mikel Merino firing home a late equaliser in the 84th minute to set up a nervy finale.
Yet United had the final word, and it came in spectacular fashion as Matheus Cunha produced a moment of pure brilliance to snatch all three points.
Harry Maguire was deservedly named Man of the Match for a commanding display but it was Cunha who stole the show with his decisive moment.
Maguire lavished praise on the former Wolverhampton Wanderers star after the game.
He said (via Sky Sports): “Players like Matheus [Cunha] coming off the bench, who I’m sure is not too happy sitting on the bench in the last two games – I know what he’s like, he wants to play – but I must say he has made the difference in the two games.
“He came on against City and changed the game, and today he’s made the difference for us.”
Impressive Cunha shows team spirit
Cunha was introduced in the 69th minute, replacing Bryan Mbeumo just as Arsenal began to dominate possession and pin United back.
While the Gunners struggled to carve out clear-cut chances, United desperately needed an outlet to carry the ball forward and relieve pressure on their defence.
Cunha embraced that responsibility instantly and executed it to perfection.
He battled aggressively, winning three duels and drawing two crucial fouls.
He only took one shot but that is all that mattered.
A slick exchange between Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo opened up space, with the young midfielder threading Cunha through at just the right moment.
The 26-year-old surged forward in trademark fashion before unleashing a stunning curling right-footed strike from outside the box.
He also earned an assist for Dorgu’s strike in the 2-0 win over Manchester City last week.
Cunha is a fighting character who will definitely be disappointed after not starting in the last two games.
However, the £62.5m summer signing has shown elite mentality by making the difference in arguably the two biggest games of the season.
Stats from Fotmob.com
Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .