Ian Wright pinpoints Erik ten Hag mistake after Arsenal’s win over Man Utd

Ian Wright believes Erik ten Hag made a key selection mistake for Manchester United’s defeat to Arsenal over the weekend.

The Gunners passed a huge test with their win over an in-form United side, with Eddie Nketiah providing the heroics after a thrilling clash at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta’s men are looking like serious title candidates, continuing to pass almost every test that comes their way, and they still have a five-point lead at the top with a game in hand.

As for United, their unbeaten run following their return from the World Cup break has concluded, even if they did put on a brave display at the Emirates. Though, the defeat might have been avoided had Ten Hag made one key change to his starting XI.

That’s according to Arsenal legend Wright, who said on The Kelly and Wrighty Show: “I would have gone with (Alejandro) Garnacho. I would have gone with him because I’m yet to see it from Antony. I know he scored on his debut against us [Arsenal], but I’m not seeing enough at the moment to think he’s going to be the one.

“I would have thought Garnacho would start because he’s very good one v one, he can take people on, he’s very good in that situation. So I thought he would get a game.”

In general, though, United are showing real signs of growth under Ten Hag, something Wright recognised by adding: “There’s more structure there, more pattern to their play. It was quite a dominant performance from Arsenal but if United had someone else with Marcus Rashford, someone just as potent, it could have been a good game for them.”

United are currently in fourth place, three points ahead of Tottenham in fifth, and they too have a game in hand to play.