LONDON – Manchester United shook up the Premier League title race with a stunning 3-2 comeback win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 25 January 2026. Matheus Cunha struck the winner in the 87th minute, capping a wild second-half turnaround for Michael Carrick’s side. The result trims Arsenal’s lead at the top to four points and gives United a huge lift as they chase a top-four place.
Arsenal started like a team in charge of a title run-in. They kept the ball, pressed high, and pinned United deep for long spells. The opener came in the 18th minute when Mikel Merino powered in a header from Bukayo Saka’s cross, setting off the home crowd.
Just before the break, Arsenal struck again. Martin Ødegaard drove a quick break and slipped the ball to Declan Rice, who hit a fierce 25-yard effort into the bottom corner. At 2-0, the Gunners looked comfortable. United offered little in attack, and Arsenal’s back line, led by William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, dealt with most of what came their way.
After the restart, the tone changed. Carrick tweaked things, and United came out with more intent, pushing higher up the pitch and finding space out wide.
Manchester United hit back, and the match flipped on its head
United’s route back into the game arrived at 58 minutes. Patrick Dorgu pounced on a loose ball in the area and lashed a brilliant strike past David Raya. It gave United belief straight away, and Arsenal suddenly looked shaky.
The hosts tried to respond, but their play became rushed. Changes from the bench didn’t settle things, and United kept finding gaps. Bruno Fernandes went close soon after, but couldn’t sort his feet out and poked wide from close range.
The equaliser came in the 72nd minute. Rasmus Højlund led a quick break and teed up Fernandes, whose shot took a deflection and looped over Raya into the net. The Emirates went quiet as United sensed a big finish.
Cunha produces the final blow
With the match heading towards a draw, Cunha delivered the moment that decided it. In the 87th minute, he picked up the ball around 30 yards out, set himself with one touch, then smashed a shot into the top corner. Raya didn’t move.
Arsenal threw men forward in stoppage time, but United held on. Harry Maguire marshalled the back line well as United saw out a famous away win, their first at the Emirates since 2020, and a damaging setback for Arsenal’s title hopes.
After the game, Mikel Arteta admitted his side weren’t at their best and pointed to a lack of calm after the break. Carrick, now permanent manager after his interim spell, praised his team’s fight, saying: “This is what Manchester United is about, fighting until the end.”
Match highlights
- 18′: Merino heads Arsenal in from Saka’s cross.
- 42′: Rice fires in from distance to make it 2-0.
- 58′: Dorgu blasts in to pull one back for United.
- 72′: Fernandes’ deflected shot makes it 2-2.
- 87′: Cunha hits a stunning winner from range.
It was a five-goal Premier League classic, with Manchester United’s late surge showing how much confidence they’re gaining under Carrick.
Arsenal match statistics
| Statistic | Arsenal | Manchester United |
|---|---|---|
| Possession (%) | 62 | 38 |
| Shots | 14 | 12 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 6 |
| Corners | 8 | 4 |
| Fouls | 10 | 13 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 3 |
| Passes Completed | 512 | 298 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.8 | 2.1 |
Arsenal controlled the ball, but they paid for sloppy moments and missed chances.
Manchester United match statistics
| Statistic | Manchester United | Arsenal |
|---|---|---|
| Possession (%) | 38 | 62 |
| Shots | 12 | 14 |
| Shots on Target | 6 | 5 |
| Corners | 4 | 8 |
| Fouls | 13 | 10 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 2 |
| Passes Completed | 298 | 512 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 2.1 | 1.8 |
Manchester United were sharper on the break and took their chances when it mattered.
What it means for the title race
This result tightens things at the top. Arsenal’s cushion is down to four points, and teams like Manchester City and Liverpool will take encouragement from a rare slip. For Manchester United, this win puts them firmly in the top-four mix and boosts confidence ahead of a busy run of fixtures.
One thing is clear after Arsenal 2-3 Man Utd: the Premier League title race isn’t settled, and United have found real momentum at the right time.
Keywords: Arsenal vs Manchester United, Premier League 2026, Matheus Cunha goal, Arsenal 2-3 Man Utd, Emirates Stadium, Michael Carrick, Premier League title race, Cunha wondergoal, Patrick Dorgu screamer
