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Man Utd legend Gary Neville EXCUSES Arsenal loss - ‘That’s acceptable’
MANCHESTER UNITED lost in an “acceptable way” against Arsenal on Sunday evening, believes club legend Gary Neville.
Man United: Solskjaer ‘disappointed’ with Arsenal defeat
United suffered their first league defeat under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on a frustrating afternoon at the Emirates.
The Red Devils looked jaded after their dramatic triumph over Paris Saint-Germain in midweek as Arsenal - who played one day later in European competition in France - came out the blocks quickly.
United pushed for an equaliser and, before the opener, hit the crossbar through Romelu Lukaku, with Fred being denied by the post later in the half.
Lukaku, who bagged three consecutive braces heading into the game, had another good chance in the second half but was thwarted by Bernd Leno.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s controversial penalty sealed the win for Arsenal, but United’s chances were reflected in the expected goals algorithm, which had them winning 1.53-2.37.
Neville echoed the analysis’ suggestion, crediting Solskjaer with his intent, which is a far cry from the monotonous regime of his predecessor Jose Mourinho.
Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast, he began: “I think Arsenal deserved it overall because how they approached the game in the first half an hour, 40 minutes.
Man United ‘did not deserve to lose’ against Arsenal says pundit
You can never say at Manchester United it’s acceptable to lose 2-0. But that’s an acceptable way to lose 2-0.
“On the other hand, I don’t think they would have had any complaints if Lukaku takes the two or three chances he’s had, and the ref doesn’t give that penalty.
“I think Ole will look towards how they’ve lost.
“I said this in a podcast a few weeks ago: that’s an acceptable way to lose 2-0.
“You can never say at Manchester United it’s acceptable to lose 2-0. But that’s an acceptable way to lose 2-0.
“There were four strikers on the pitch at the end of the game, they had as many chances as Arsenal, they had more possession.
“But Arsenal, on the day, just had that little bit more edge, it felt.”