Louis Sealey
Published January 25, 2026 8:16pm
Updated January 25, 2026 8:16pm
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
Matheus Cunha scored Man Utd’s winner against Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Matheus Cunha branded Arsenal the ‘best team in the world’ after Manchester United stunned the Premier League leaders to continue their revival under Michael Carrick.
Arsenal’s wobble continued at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday as Mikel Arteta’s side were beaten 3-2 in a thriller.
The Gunners started the game well and took the lead through Lisandro Martinez’s own goal, but were then pegged back by Bryan Mbeumo’s equaliser before half-time.
It was Arsenal’s turn to level proceedings in the 84th minute when Mikel Merino bundled home from a corner to cancel out a stunning strike from Patrick Dorgu.
The momentum appeared to be with Arsenal at that stage but Carrick’s side went up the other end and secured a rare win at the Emirates Stadium through Cunha’s brilliant curled effort.
The weekend results mean Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League is cut to just four points, while Manchester United climb into the Champions League places above Liverpool and Chelsea.
Cunha was proud of the ‘character’ United showed and claims they beat the ‘best team in the world’ in Arsenal.
Get your football fix
Don't want to miss the week's biggest football stories? Metro's exclusive football newsletter, In The Mixer, is your essential guide.
From the latest transfer rumours and managerial moves to analysis of the biggest games and a lot more, our experts have you covered.
Sign up here, it's an open goal.
Cunha celebrates with Man Utd teammate Casemiro (Picture: Getty)
‘I think we showed character and power in the group,’ Manchester United’s summer signing told BBC Sport. ‘We know what to expect, come here, I think it’s the best team in the world today, honestly.
‘They play with Mikel [Arteta] so long, they know every single tactics, every single thing that he feels, so we know how hard it will to be to come here, but we are United and everything we do is to win the games.’
On the impact Carrick has made since his appointment as United caretaker manager, Cunha added: ‘He knows the feeling, he played here so many years.
@metrosportukAre Man United BACK?! 💥 Manchester United beat Arsenal 3-2 in the Premier League after two unbelievable goals from Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha, and a rare poor performance from the Gunners at the Emirates. #manchesterunited #arsenal #matchreaction #dorgu #carrick
♬ original sound – Metro Sport
‘He knows the feeling for Manchester, he knows the feeling for United. He knows how the fans want to feel.
‘He tried to show us every single moment, he tried to talk us to understand in moments and say ‘everyone is against us’, so I think we feel more together.’
Manchester United beat rivals Manchester City in their first game under Carrick and followed that impressive win up with another three points against title favourites Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s surprise defeat (Picture: Getty)
Carrick, who was put in charge shortly after Ruben Amorim’s sacking, said: ‘It was a good day. I think we had to put a lot into that game, an awful lot.
‘Credit to the boys, so proud of them. We had to sustain some attacks, especially earlier on and we grew into the game.
More Trending
-
Arsenal 2-3 Man Utd: Dorgu and Cunha screamers harm Gunners title charge
Channel: Football Football 7 hours ago By Phil Haigh - Chelsea make Cole Palmer transfer decision after Man Utd and Man City links
- Viktor Gyokeres replacement? Arsenal make contact over move for £82m superstar
- Arsene Wenger says two Arsenal players were 'nervous' in Man Utd defeat
‘We had a setback, come back strong, had a setback towards the end, come back strong. So many elements to the game that were good.
‘We’re so fresh whether it’s 10 days in, two games, it’s never going to be perfect at this stage, especially coming against a team like Arsenal, but there were so many positives to take and we’ll keep adding to it in days and weeks to come.
‘The boys have been fantastic in terms of taking things on, wanting to do it and investing into it. You can see what it means to them at the end.
‘I’m really proud of them today, it’s obvious to say but it’s a tough place to come. Especially with the way the game flowed we stick at it and fantastic feeling at the end.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Arrow MORE: Roy Keane ‘can’t believe’ Arsenal suffered with one problem in Man Utd loss
Arrow MORE: Rio Ferdinand criticises Mikel Arteta and Arsenal forward after Man Utd defeat
Arrow MORE: Patrick Vieira names two Arsenal stars who ‘didn’t produce enough’ against Manchester United
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source Football Newsletter – In The MixerPunchy analysis, transfer talk and more from Metro's football experts, sent straight to your inbox every week.
Team Expand Options ? Select All Select All Arsenal Arsenal Aston Villa Aston Villa Bournemouth Bournemouth Brighton Brighton Burnley Burnley Chelsea Chelsea Crystal Palace Crystal Palace Everton Everton Fulham Fulham Leeds United Leeds United Liverpool Liverpool Manchester City Manchester City Manchester United Manchester United Newcastle Newcastle Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest Sunderland Sunderland Tottenham Tottenham West Ham West Ham Wolves Wolves Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy