Gary Neville warned Man Utd of “big problem” moments before Bukayo Saka suckerpunch

Gary Neville claimed that Manchester United had a big problem with Bukayo Saka shortly before the Arsenal winger netted a stunning goal in the Gunners’ dramatic 3-2 win on Sunday

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Arsenal v Manchester United – Match In Pictures

Gary Neville predicted that Bukayo Saka had the scope to cause Manchester United a “big problem” just minutes before the Arsenal forward scored a remarkable goal in Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

Saka was influential for the Gunners, who came out on top in an enthralling clash in north London to keep their unlikely title dream alive at the expense of United.

A brace from Eddie Nketiah and Saka’s sensational strike was enough to edge out United, who had looked set to claim a share of the spoils until Nketiah’s dramatic intervention in the final minutes of the match. But it was Manchester United who took an early lead through Rashford, who fizzed a strike from range beyond Aaron Ramsdale in the Gunners goal.

Nketiah’s first goal of the afternoon ensured the two sides headed in level at the break but it took Saka just eight second-half minutes to fire Arsenal into a 2-1 lead.

And Neville, who was commentating on the game, claimed that Saka was always likely to cause United problems if they continued to give him time and space around the edge of the box.

The former Manchester United full-back told Sky Sports after Saka’s goal: “It doesn’t take much to get Saka to smile, he’s always smiling, but that was absolutely sensational. I said only a few moments before that if you keep letting Martinelli and Saka have time around the edge of that 18-yard box you’ll have big, big problems.

“It’s Eriksen up against him, he hasn’t got the sharpness to be able to contend with Saka’s skip inside and then you’re asking can he finish? Can he do what Marcus Rashford did in that first half? You bet he can. Absolutely beautiful from Bukayo Saka. Concentration, head down, power, accuracy, precision, and goal.”

Join the debate! What did you make of Man Utd’s performance against Arsenal? Let us know here.

Gary Neville predicted that Bukayo Saka would punish Manchester United if he was given time and space near the edge of the box (

Image:

Sky Sports)

Speaking after the match, United boss Erik ten Hag bemoaned the goals his side gave away against the Emirates and insisted that all were down to individual mistakes. The Dutchman said: “Of course, we are disappointed when you lose this game at a late stage. All the goals we conceded today are mistakes – it can’t happen.

“Even last week, we were so hard to beat in such situations. Today we were not. All three goals we could have avoided.

“They are very good on the ball, but we are a good defending team. There were not a lot of open chances. We made mistakes which we cannot make. This game was decided by small details but also the decision making. That is hard to accept, and we have to learn from it.

“I want to win. It is not good enough. We want to be the number one but not if we make mistakes. That is clear and what I told them.”