Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s remarkable tenure as interim Manchester United boss produced yet another victory on Friday night, with the Red Devils securing a fourth round FA Cup win against Arsenal at the Emirates.
Already without the long-term crocked Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding, the hosts’ defensive injury woes continued early on, with Sokratis forced off, to be replaced by Shkodran Mustafi.
Solskjaer had started Alexis Sanchez and the ex-Gunner responded to the boos from the home fans by opening the scoring just after the half-hour mark, rounding Petr Cech and firing home after a fine reverse pass from Romelu Lukaku.
The Gunners found themselves two goals behind just 149 seconds later, with Jesse Lingard deftly slotting home from another Lukaku assist.
Despite being two goals down, Arsenal hadn’t played particularly poorly and they got one back before the break, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tapping in from close-range.
Early in the second-half, Arsenal almost drew level, with Aaron Ramsey’s close-range header superbly saved by Sergio Romero.
Arsenal would lose yet another defender when Laurent Koscielny was forced off with a facial injury.
Unai Emery sent on Mesut Ozil to kickstart the game for the Gunners, but it was United who would score again, with Anthony Martial scoring after Cech had saved from Paul Pogba.
The game would end 3-1 to the visitors, who book their place in the fifth round as Solskjaer’s winning start extends to eight games.
As for Arsenal, the defeat will be somewhat overshadowed by yet more defensive injuries as Emery and co. now turn their attention to a top four finish and the Europa League.