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Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal: Premier League – as it happened


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There was a surprise present for Arsene Wenger before kick-off. But, once again, it was Arsenal who handed out the gifts as they contributed to this loss with some inevitably weak and brittle defending.

“That shows that once you are not a danger any more people love you,” Wenger joked after the game about the warm reception he received on his final trip to Old Trafford as Arsenal manager. But it was a serious point, also, unfortunately given the decline from their once battle-hardened heights under him.

The present was a silver vase (a final trophy?), given to Wenger by his old adversary turned friend Sir Alex Ferguson, but it may as well have been a carriage clock as Manchester United won in “Fergie time” with a header by substitute Marouane Fellaini.

Not that this colourless encounter had anything of the clashes of old. It was not Keane v Vieira, not Van Nistelrooy v Keown or even the “Battle of the Buffet”. It was slim pickings, devoid of the epic storylines and sub-plots and titanic struggles that have preceded it over the 22 years Wenger has brought Arsenal to combat in this stadium.

The 68-year-old did so here for the 28th and final time and was curiously subdued, barely moving from his dug-out after being smothered with kindness by first Ferguson, then Jose Mourinho, his one-time bitter enemy, who also hugged him, while the United fans applauded before kick-off and before the second half started as he walked down the touchline.

There was also an embrace for Alexis Sanchez, who had forced his way out of Arsenal in January to join United.

The only concern for Mourinho, who confirmed Champions League qualification with this win, was a foot injury to Romelu Lukaku. The striker immediately asked to go off and there were worries that he may even be out for the FA Cup final.


Marouane Fellaini gave Manchester United all three points as they grabbed a last-gasp winner in Arsene Wenger's final trip to Old Trafford as Arsenal manager.

Paul Pogba had given the hosts an early lead before Henrikh Mkhitaryan qeualised shortly after half-time against his old club.

But Fellaini's late header saw Jose Mourinho emerge triumphant once more against his old rival, and consigned the Gunners to a sixth consecutive away defeat in the Premier League.

Relive all the action with Sportsmail's JAMES DUTTON...

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