FA cup: Gunners disunite Man U

Danny Welbeck returned to Manchester United as Arsenal’s match-winner as the FA Cup holders secured a place in this year’s semi-finals at Wembley.

England striker Welbeck, who joined Arsenal from United in £16m deal  on deadline day in September, scored the goal that gave the Gunners their first win at Old Trafford since 2006.

It ensures Louis van Gaal, the manager who sanctioned his sale, will almost certainly end his first season at Old Trafford empty-handed.

Man U last night weathered the storm to secure a 2-1 victory against Arsenal, their first win on the road this season.

Angel Di Maria saw red and Danny Welbeck netted the winner against his former club as the Gunners progressed.

During a lively second half, Welbeck scored what turned out to be the decisive goal just after the hour, capitalising on Antonio Valencia’s error to round the impressive David de Gea and poke into the empty net.

Angel Di Maria was sent off for shoving the referee in the closing stages as the home team tried in vain to get back into what was a captivating cup tie – and one that Arsenal did deserve to win.

The former United youngster popped up to silence Old Trafford fans with a cool finish to seal semi-final showdown against Reading or Bradford City.

The hosts dominated for most of the opening hour at Emirates Stadium but found United goalkeeper David de Gea in excellent form, and Arsenal went behind when Wojciech Szczesny failed to deal with a cross in the 56th minute and Antonio Valencia’s drilled cross was turned into his own net by Kieran Gibbs.

United made light of high-profile defensive absentees by closing out their first competitive away win of the Louis van Gaal era, a triumph sealed by Wayne Rooney on the counter-attack five minutes from time.

It could have been three late on when Angel di Maria missed with a one-on-one breakaway opportunity, before Olivier Giroud gave Arsenal something to cheer with a superb finish on his return to the side after being sidelined with a fractured tibia.

 

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