Incredible scenes as United thrash Arsenal 8-2

Manchester United produced a mouth-watering display of attacking football to seal an 8-2 victory over Arsenal. Wayne Rooney scored a hat-trick of set-pieces, whilst Ashley Young curled home a contender for goal of the season. Arsene Wenger’s men played out the final 13 minutes with ten men after Carl Jenkinson was sent off.

Rooney scored two stunning free-kicks and a penalty to secure another match-ball for his growing collection. He has now surpassed 150 goals for the club.

Meanwhile, Young scored a contender for goal of the season as the Red Devils heaped pressure on a shell-shocked Arsene Wenger.

The hosts opened the scoring on 22 minutes as England hopeful Danny Welbeck continued to stake his claim for regular first-team football.

Anderson’s flick over the top caused panic amongst Arsenal’s shaky defence and Welbeck snuck in and steered a cheeky header over Szczesny.

Sadly, he would later limp off the pitch with a hamstring problem which could hamper his hopes of being involved in England’s upcoming games. 

Wenger’s men, however, were gifted an ideal opportunity to restore parity only minutes later. Jonny Evans grabbed Theo Walcott’s shirt and referee Howard Webb pointed to the spot.

It was United fans celebrating again, however – as David De Gea, desperate to impress after a shaky start, did well to save a tame penalty from Robin van Persie.

Then, only seconds later, came a moment of pure class. Summer signing Young curled home a stunning long-range effort from 22 yards out and Old Trafford was in ecstasy.

Arsenal, yet to win a Premier League game this season, looked a beaten side and the Reds rubbed salt into the wounds shortly before half-time as Rooney hit the net. The England striker fired home a brilliant free-kick after Jenkinson tripped Young.

But, moments before the interval, Tomas Rosicky’s through-ball sent Walcott through and the former Southampton player sent a neat finish through the legs of De Gea at a difficult angle.

The travelling fans may have thought that the goal gave them hope – but little were they to know what was to follow over the next 45 minutes.

Arsenal started the second-half well with van Persie and Andrei Arshavin both squandering excellent chances.

Had either player scored, things could have been very different – but United would go onto dominate in one of the most amazing goalscoring displays that the Theatre of Dreams has ever seen.

The result was put beyond reasonable doubt on 55 minutes Rooney nudged a free-kick to Young, who edged the ball back, and the ex-Everton striker curled a stunning effort beyond the reach of Szczesny.

Nani struck the fifth only seconds later. Portugal’s ever-improving winger capped a fine passing move with a classy chipped finish; and the sixth goal came three minutes later as South Korean substitute Ji-Sung Park slid home Young’s cut-back.

Arsenal restored some pride on 74 minutes as United’s defence was caught napping and van Persie made up for his penalty miss by rifling into the roof of the net from close range.

However, the travelling fans’ misery heightened minutes later as Jenkinson was dismissed for a second bookable offence. He was rightly sent-off for dragging down Javier Hernandez, ensuring that Arsenal have still not finished a league game with ten men this season.

As United continued to attack, Old Trafford started to believe that United could eclipse the magic that accompanied the famous 6-1 win over Arsenal in 2001, when Dwight Yorke scored a hat-trick.

Rooney secured his own hat-trick in the closing stages from the penalty spot. Substitute Ryan Giggs stepped aside and let the striker take the spot-kick and he did the business from twelve yards

The rout was completed in the closing moments as Young curled home another amazing striker, before Ji-Sung Park nearly made it nine at the death.

Old Trafford rose to its feet on full-time to pay tribute to United’s clinical heroics. The Red Devils seized the opportunity against a weak and fragile Arsenal line-up to wrap up one of the most famous wins in the club’s recent history.

Full Time – Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal
Attendance – 75,448