Manchester United 3 - 2 Arsenal : Three things we learnt

Manchester United raised hopes of a late challenge for the top four with a scintillating performance at Old Trafford against the Gunners despite fielding a seemingly weaker team. Injury to fourteen first team players means Van Gaal had to dig deep into the U-18 side, to get his complete squad for the tie.

In a match where both sides needed the three points, United showed more desire, hunger and were the best in the final third.

Redlyunited looks at five talking points from the game.

1. The academy and future of United on show

Despite spending about £250m over the past two seasons, Van Gaal has kept his job at United because the youngsters in the academy have shown immense quality this season.
Players like Borthwick-Jackson, Varela, Perreia, Lingard and most recently Rashford have shone like stars. Against Arsenal, it was the relatively unknown Rashford that stole the show, scoring two well taken goals.

Players like Weir and  and Timothy Fosu-Mensah also came on and showed commendable composure and character.

If there is one positive from a poor United season so far, it is that the academy still houses some of the best talents in the country.

2. United crawling back into race for top four:

The win over Arsenal reduced the points between both teams from ten to seven. United are still fifth on the table, three points behind City who have a game in hand.

The win over Arsenal should give United more than three points. It will boost the team's confidence, especially the youngsters who may still have a part to play in United's current campaign.

All United need now is some consistency, four or five straight wins, and we may be looking at United in the top four.

3. Van Gaal passes sack the  tests once again:

At the beginning of last week, Van Gaal was facing the sack. Three important matches in three different competitions, a defeat in any of these would be fatal to United's season.

But once again as he had always done, Van Gaal scaled through. This time emphatically. Wins over Shrewsbury, FC Midtjylland and Arsenal means the United boss has almost secured his future till the end of the season.

The LVGOUT rant has come down and everyone is appreciating him for giving the United youngsters a chance.