Manchester United won a breathless bout with Arsenal 3-1 as Jesse Lingard scored twice, David De Gea demonstrated his brilliance and Paul Pogba was sent off.

Antonio Valencia and Lingard pounced on defensive mistakes by Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi as Jose Mourinho's visitors took a 2-0 lead inside 11 minutes at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal refused to buckle. Alexandre Lacazette netted when United's defence stood still, but De Gea made a string of fine saves to deny the Gunners.

Lingard struck on the counter-attack following fine work from Pogba, who was then shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Hector Bellerin.

Valencia smashed home the opening goal for United (
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Lingard celebrates after making it 2-0 (
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The midfielder's offence carries an automatic three-match ban and rules Pogba out of next weekend's Manchester derby.

The win saw second-placed United move five points behind rivals City, the Premier League leaders playing West Ham on Sunday, while Arsenal are seven points further adrift in fifth.

Lacazette reduced the deficit from close range (
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Lingard's tap-in restored United's advantage (
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Arsenal: Cech, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal, Bellerin, Ramsey, Xhaka, Kolasinac, Ozil, Sanchez, Lacazette. Subs: Mertesacker, Wilshere, Giroud, Ospina, Iwobi, Welbeck, Coquelin.

Man Utd: De Gea, Lindelof, Smalling, Rojo, Valencia, Pogba, Matic, Young, Lingard, Martial, Lukaku. Subs: Mata, Blind, Rashford, Romero, Ander Herrera, Darmian, McTominay.

Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)

Pogba's challenge on Bellerin will see him serve a suspension (
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Pogba was shown a red but United saw out the game (
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Re-live the action as it happened here...

Mourinho blames Arsenal players for Pogba red

Jose Mourinho has aimed the blame for Paul Pogba ‘s red card at Arsenal’s players and their “desire to go onto the grass.”

Andre Marriner brandished a red card when the Manchester United midfielder landed his studs on Hector Bellerin’s leg, which will now ensure he misses the Manchester derby against Manchester City.

But Mourinho, who could be seen having a heated conversation with Pogba moments before, insists the Gunners played a part in the dismissal.

“I don’t know. I leave for you that one,” Mourinho admitted. “I leave for you the Lukaku situation with Koscielny.

“I leave for you the Arsenal players on the grass. The grass is absolutely beautiful - I think there is a desire to go onto the grass.”

Read more from Mourinho here.

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Andy Dunn's big match verdict: Mourinho sends a statement

As statement performances go, this was up there with some of Jose Mourinho’s most significant.

Sorry, as statement results go.

To emphatically beat an Arsenal team that, arguably, attacked as incessantly as it has attacked for a long time, is a thumping declaration ahead of next weekend’s Manchester derby.

As mightily as City swagger, this Mourinho team will not fade.

Not if they can withstand this sort of pressure, not if they can resist what most would find irresistible.

Not if they can even pull through after the most bizarrely violent moment of madness, or a mistimed challenge as some would have you believe, from a player who had majestically bestrode this epic contest.

After his wish for City to suffer injuries, karma came pretty sharpish for Paul Pogba.

No-one wore a more thunderous demeanour than Mourinho after Pogba left his studded impression on Hector Bellerin.

He knows that, against a City side even more attack-minded than this Arsenal one and far more clinical, Pogba is going to be missed sorely.

Read more here.

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Manchester United player ratings

DE GEA: The Spaniard is surely now the world’s No 1 keeper. A double save to thwart Lacazette and Sanchez was astonishing. Mark: 8.

LINDELOF: Stood up to be counted as United were forced to withstand a second-half onslaught. Mark: 7

SMALLING: Another who put his body on the line, but guilty of several rash challenges. Mark: 6.

ROJO: Booked for a foul on Sanchez but his return from injury has strengthened United at the back. Mark: 7.

VALENCIA: Gave United the perfect start by opening the scoring and was as decisive in defence as going forward. Mark: 7.

MATIC: Always there to put a foot in and produced a brilliant challenge to thwart Ramsey. Mark: 6.

YOUNG: Quality going forward but showed the other side of his game as well. Mark: 6.

POGBA: Produced a flash of magic to set up Lingard’s second goal – and then sent off for a terrible tackle. Mark: 4.

LINGARD: Led the United press with his breathless energy that was typified when he scored the second goal. Mark: 8

MARTIAL: Pushed up alongside Lukaku and looked a real handful before fading. Mark: 6.

LUKAKU: Led the United line with pace and power but struggling in front of goal. Mark: 6

SUBS: HERRERA 5 (MARTIAL 65), DARMIAN 5 (LINGARD), RASHFORD (YOUNG)

SUBS NOT USED: MATA, BLIND, ROMERO, McTOMINAY.

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Arsenal player ratings

CECH: Not given much help by an Arsenal defence that looked vulnerable when United attacked. Mark: 6.

KOSCIELNY: The Gunners’ captain got better after a poor pass that led to United’s opener. Mark: 6.

MUSTAFI: Limped off after committing a horrible blunder that led to Lingard putting United 2-0 ahead. Mark: 4.

MONREAL: Looked like a left-back playing centre-back when ever the visitors attacked. Mark: 5.

BELLERIN: Unlucky with one long-range shot but defensively weak. Mark: 6.

RAMSEY: Helped turn the tide after United’s early double and set up Lacazette’s goal. Mark: 7.

XHAKA: Got Arsenal’s fans back onside with some blockbuster tackles in an impressive display. Subbed. Mark: 7.

KOLASINAC: Looked lost in a game played at a frantic and unrelenting pace. Mark: 6.

SANCHEZ: Showed he’s still committed to the Arsenal cause and instrumental in their opener. Mark: 7.

OZIL: Showed some classy touches to show why United are interested in signing him. Mark: 7.

LACAZETTE: Not 100 percent fit but never gave up and got on the scoresheet. Mark: 7.

SUBS: IWOBI 5 (MUSTAFI 15), WELBECK 5 (XHAKA 70), GIROUD 5 (KOLASINAC 74).

SUBS NOT USED: MERTESACKER, WILSHERE, OSPINA, COQUELIN.

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5 things we learned from the game

Jesse Lingard’s brace helped Manchester United overcome a Paul Pogba’s red card to seal a 3-1 win against Arsenal at the Emirates.

Jose Mourinho’s side took the lead after just four minutes when Antonio Valencia took advantage of a poor Laurent Koscielny pass to slot an opening goal past Petr Cech.

The visitors doubled down on their fast start when Lingard took the ball off Shokdran Mustafi, linked up superbly with Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial before finishing the move off himself on 11 minutes.

An end-to-end first-half saw Arsenal create plenty of chances, but fail to beat an inspired David de Gea in the opposition goal.

Arsene Wenger’s men did finally find a way past the Spaniard when Alexandre Lacazette scored shortly after the break, but Lingard scored a vital third just after the hour mark.

Paul Pogba was handed a straight red card after 74 minutes for a studs-up challenge on Hector Bellerin, but the visitors held on for the win in a thrilling contest.

The Pogba red was the only blot on the Red Devils’ copybook, as the Frenchman will now miss next weekend’s Manchester derby.

Here are five things we learned from the fixture.

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Fans notice irony in Pogba dismissal

Paul Pogba’s red card was just one of many talking points in the brilliant match between Arsenal and Manchester United on Saturday evening.

The Frenchman was dismissed in the 74th minute of the breathless encounter for a studs-up challenge on Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin, just 11 minutes after his excellent assist allowed Jesse Lingard to score his second of the night and put United 3-1 up.

It was unsavoury ending to the night for Pogba, who had been fantastic during the end-to-end evening in north London.

And with the midfielder now set to miss the next three games, including the Manchester derby at Old Trafford next weekend, fans were quick to spot the irony in his dismissal.

Because earlier in the day, Pogba had appeared on the BBC’s Football Focus claiming that he hoped City would pick up injuries soon and miss key matches.

And now he’s missing the derby.

Twitter, as usual, wasn’t a forgiving place.

Pogba ruled out of Manchester derby

Paul Pogba will miss the Manchester derby after picking up a red card for a professional foul on Hector Bellerin against Arsenal.

The Manchester United star had been instrumental in the Red Devils’ outstanding performance at the Emirates, inspiring them to a 3-1 lead.

But the French midfielder lost control of the ball and lunged in on his Spanish opponent with referee Andre Marriner brandishing a red card after a minute of contemplation.

The 24-year-old will also face the prospect of additional games out through suspension after sarcastically applauding the decision as he walked off the pitch.

Read more here.

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A stat worth shouting about for United.

They’ve got the better of their old rivals more times than any other team in the Premier League.

What a way to do it today!

FT All over! United win 3-1!

And breathe.

What a ridiculous 90 minutes of football.

Lingard’s double proved to be the difference on the pitch, but there was so much more to talk about.

Full reaction to come.

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Manchester City fans are getting excited at the thought of a derby next week without Paul Pogba on the pitch.

The decision was probably the right one from referee Andre Marriner.

It was studs up and late on Hector Bellerin.

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Two goals down but Arsenal are effectively playing six up top to finish off this game.

They have Sanchez, Giroud, Lacazette, Ozil, Welbeck and Iwobi all on the pitch.

It’s going to be a fun last 10 minutes...

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In pictures: Lingard's second goal of the day

Just before the red card drama, Pogba laid up Lingard to make it 3-1.

It was a tap-in and he clearly enjoyed it.

What a performance from the England man!

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RED CARD! Pogba sent off!

Yet another twist for the game!

It’s a straight red for a challenge on Hector Bellerin.

The tackle was studs up, but all happened very quickly.

Just when you thought this game could be over...

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Safe to say that Lingard is in a rich vein of form.

Before the past two games, it took him quite a while to score three.

He’s cruising today!

GOAL! Lingard makes it 3-1!

That should be enough to kill off Arsenal’s hopes.

Lingard taps home into an open net after a break away.

Superb work from Pogba, who shrugged off Koscielny’s challenge and squared for Lingard, who was the initial instigator of the charge forward.

Great goal.

In pictures: Lacazette reduces the deficit

Here’s Lacazette’s strike.

He was never really going to miss from there.

What a game this has been...

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David De Gea.

There are no words.

Some of the best saves you will see this season.

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Dave saves... again!

De Gea has been outstanding for United in keeping Arsenal out.

The Gunners have been piling on the pressure here.

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GOAL! Lacazette gets one back!

Game on!

Lacazette smashes home from close range and there’s just one goal in it now.

Sanchez played the ball over the top to Ramsey, who is one on one but his touch is poor and falls behind him.

Thankfully for him, Lacazette is on the spot to pick up it up and score.

Second half underway

The teams are back out and we go again.

If it’s anything like the first half, it will be a thriller.

Here we go!

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Macari weighs in at half-time

Some half-time thoughts from Lou Macari from a United point of view.

He’s understandably happy with what has gone down so far.

More of the same excitement second half, please!

HT reading: Ferdinand wants Ozil at United

Rio Ferdinand has encouraged Manchester United to sign Mesut Ozil with the Arsenal star available on a free transfer next summer.

The former Red Devil has recalled his own experience from playing against the Germany international.

With Ferdinand of the view that Jose Mourinho can help bring another dimension out of Ozil, who has struggled to deliver consistently at his best since moving to the Emirates.

“He’s deceptively quick, if you can get that out of him with the ability, he’s a technician.

“I’d take him at Man United all day, on a free transfer? No doubt. Jose will get that out of him. I’m taking him.”

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HT reading: Arsenal fans unhappy with Mustafi

Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to rage at Shkodran Mustafi after the defender’s shambolic defending led to Jesse Lingard scoring Manchester United’s second goal.

The visitors had already taken the lead in the first half when Antonio Valencia drilled the ball through Petr Cech’s legs.

But Jose Mourinho’s men doubled their tally seven minutes later after Mustafi was tacked in his own half.

Anthony Martial was played through and cleverly turned with the ball to set up Lingard.

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The Englishman proceeded to score his second goal in a matter of days after finding the back of the net against Watford on Tuesday.

Following the goal, Mustafi went down injured.

Arsene Wenger then substituted the hobbling German for Alex Iwobi in a bid to get his side back in the game.

HT Arsenal 0-2 United

That’s all she wrote for the first 45 minutes.

United’s rampant start is the difference between the two sides at the moment.

Arsenal have been pressing ever since and are perhaps unlucky to still be two goals behind.

It sets us up nicely for an intriguing second half.

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Arsenal are slowly but surely getting back into it.

No matter what Arsenal do, they can’t score.

You get the feeling that they need to get one before the break.

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This is developing into a seriously entertaining match.

Arsenal are coming back strong but they are committing men forward in the process.

It’s properly end to end. Great viewing.

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Arsenal fan Piers Morgan is not enjoying this game.

He’s been impressed by Paul Pogba, the world’s most expensive central midfielder, however.

It’s not looking good for Arsenal.

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Is this a turning point for United?

They appear to have ended a long-standing awful run against the Premier League’s big boys.

Arsenal coming back into this one, though.

In pictures: Lingard hits home to make it two

What a start to the game for Manchester United.

Lingard has justified his inclusion in the starting XI with the finish.

He loves a goal in an important match!

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In pictures: Valencia scores United's opener

It was finished with aplomb by Valencia.

Driven low and hard across the goalkeeper.

A centre forward’s finish from the full-back.

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