Manchester United flashed a title warning to rivals Manchester City with a highly entertaining 3-1 win at old adversaries Arsenal.
Goals from Antonio Valencia and Jesse Lingard (2), coupled with some outstanding goalkeeping from David De Gea, wrecked the Gunners' winning home run.
United could still challenge City for the title
A word to those writing off United’s hopes of overhauling Pep Guardiola’s side this season – don't.
Not yet anyway.
Jose Mourinho's dashing men in black proved too good for Arsenal at the Emirates as they secured back-to-back away wins, moving them five points behind City, with a spectacular victory.
Guardiola's table-toppers seem certain to restore their eight-point advantage over United when they host struggling West Ham at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
But there is a swagger and resilience about United right now which bodes well as they gear up for the hectic festive period.
Next weekend, United host City at Old Trafford and it is a huge chance for Mourinho’s men to cut the gap at the top.
They will have to make do without Paul Pogba, though, following his red card against Arsenal for a studs-up lunge on Hector Bellerin.
Jesse Lingard should be aiming for double figures
The homegrown midfielder’s brace against the Gunners took his tally for the season to six – equalling his season-best figure for Manchester United in the 2015/16 campaign.
Lingard has always had an eye for goal, as evidenced by his successful loan spells at Birmingham, Brighton and Derby earlier in his career.
In September 2013, the England international scored four times on his debut for Birmingham in a 4-1 home win over Sheffield Wednesday.
He was 20 then but, over four years on, he is now proving his class in a United jersey on a regular basis.
Lingard should comfortably reach double figures this season after his superbly-taken double downed the Gunners on their own turf.
Old questions over Arsenal resurface
Victory would have seen Arsene Wenger’s side win 13 home league games in a row for the first time since November 2005.
It would have also established a club record of seven consecutive top-flight home wins from the start of a season.
But they were dismantled by their old foes in a thrilling clash which also ruined the Gunners’ proud defensive record.
Before United’s visit, Arsenal had conceded just four goals at the Emirates this season, three of which came in the 4-3 opening day win over Leicester City.
By the end of a tumultuous encounter, serious doubts were raised over Arsenal as they were left out of the top four in fifth place.
Mourinho to boost United’s midfield?
A number of reports are linking Schalke’s Germany international midfielder Leon Goretzka with a move to Old Trafford.
Goretzka is out of contract in the summer and would be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from January 1.
Schalke have offered him a new deal which would make him the highest-paid player in the club's history, but United are said to be weighing up a move for the 22-year-old.
Goretzka joined the Bundesliga club in 2013 from Bochum and has since emerged as one of the brightest talents in German football.
Crucially, he is able to fill in a number of midfield roles, both central and wide, providing United with a number of potential options.
