Former Premier League manager Sam Allardyce claims Manchester United did something against Arsenal on Sunday that won’t be repeated this season.
Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Arsenal sent shockwaves throughout the Premier League because it saw Michael Carrick record back-to-back wins after claiming a 2-0 win in the Manchester derby.
It marks the perfect start for Carrick, as Michael Owen warned, because bigger tests lie ahead for this United side. The Red Devils host Fulham this weekend, but these are the types of games United have struggled with in recent memory.
Only time will tell if United will be competing for a Champions League spot at the end of the season, though they are currently fourth in the Premier League standings, which bodes well with the fixture list getting easier on paper.
After a dramatic start to 2026, what is your message to Sir Jim Ratcliffe?
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha all got on the scoresheet in the win over Arsenal. Carrick will be hoping these players can build on that in the coming weeks, although Dorgu has been ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained against the Gunners.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesSam Allardyce acknowledges how clinical Man Utd were against Arsenal
Allardyce has plenty of experience managing in the Premier League, so he knows how difficult it will be for Carrick to turn things around at Old Trafford.
As revealed on Allardyce’s podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football, the former England boss enjoyed United’s win over Arsenal.
After looking at the stats after the match, Allardyce noticed something he believes won’t happen again this season.
United were the first team to score three goals away at Arsenal in the league this season, but they did so with just three shots on target.
Allardyce doesn’t believe such a feat will be repeated by another team this season, which shows how clinical United were against Arsenal.
“I really enjoyed watching the game, but the stats at the end of it told me that this won’t happen again,” Allardyce said.
“Man United had three shots on target and scored three. That was it. So that’s a bonus.
“As well as they played, as well as they coped with Arsenal, as well as how many chances they created against Arsenal, they still only had three shots at goal and scored three goals. That’s never going to happen again. Certainly not this season, or for a long time.”
How many points will United get from our next five games?
It’s been a perfect start for Michael Carrick, will it continue? Which games are you worried about?
Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
United should be praised for this rather than labelled lucky for a deserved win over Arsenal.
Arsenal cannot let the same happen again or else they risk slipping up in their lead over Man City in the title race.
Pep Guardiola’s side will smell blood after watching Carrick get the better of Mikel Arteta for a second time in his coaching career.
Sam Allardyce record against Man Utd
Even though Allardyce took on United 28 times throughout his managerial career, he remains a close friend of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Allardyce won just three of his matches against United, losing 18 and drawing seven.
The last time Allardyce coached in a game involving United, he was West Brom manager and the game ended 1-1.
Allardyce’s last job as a football manager ended in May 2023 following a short stint at Leeds.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox