Manchester United 3-2 Arsenal: Barclays Premier League - as it happened

Well that is all we have time for on this Premier League live text. We have coverage of the League Cup final between Liverpool and Manchester City here but until next time, goodbye.

Full time: Manchester United 3-2 Arsenal

Arsenal stay five points behind Premier League leaders Leicester City as their winless run at Old Trafford go on. Manchester United claim a third straight win as Marcus Rashford scored twice and made another for Ander Herrera. Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil responded but defeat is a huge blow to the club's title chances.

Five added minutes at Old Trafford.

United holding the ball in the corner to frustrate Arsenal. Painful afternoon, so far, so the Gunners.

It has not been an all-out assault on the United goal from Arsenal in the closing minutes but they do go close to equalising as Koscielny is denied by De Gea. Into the last five minutes.

Fair to say that Louis van Gaal has broken the internet with his theatrics on the bench. Arsenal are still pushing, with neighbours Tottenham now winning, as Giroud heads over at the back post. Into the final ten minutes.

Bit of heat to this game now. Craig Pawson has reached for his cards a few times and now Louis van Gaal is becoming involved. The Dutch coach takes exception to the latest Arsenal free-kick and confronts Mike Dean, falling theatrically to the floor. Comical moment and the home faithful are loving it.

Handbags at dawn at Old Trafford. A late challenge from Ander Herrera is reacted to by Aaron Ramsey, who pushes the Spaniard to the ground. Yellow cards to both players, probably rightly so.

Goal: Manchester United 3-2 Arsenal (Mesut Ozil)

Game back on at Old Trafford and still 21 minutes left. Sanchez plays a delightful cross in and after De Gea saves well from Welbeck from close range, Ozil miss-hits a volley into the ground and into the top corner.

Goal: Manchester United 3-1 Arsenal (Ander Herrera)

Arsenal look leggy and United take full advantage. Mata finds Rashford who toys with Koscielny and he pulls the ball back to Herrera who via a deflection off the Frenchman finds the net from 25 yards.

Giroud replaces Theo Walcott, who can't have had many fewer anonymous performances than his 62 minutes this afternoon.

Depay dives inside and unleashes a shot which Cech beats out at first before claiming the loose ball. Arsenal have really dropped off the pace now and United are much more of a threat. Olivier Giroud coming on to try and change the momentum.

Morgan Schneiderlin had a shot well blocked in a rare effort for United in this second half. Arsenal dominating possession but the hosts are holding them at arms length. Just over half an hour remaining.

Tim Fosu-Mensah on for his Manchester United debut in place of the injured Maroc Rojo; the 31st player used by the club in the Premier League this season.

Aaron Ramsey almost latches onto a through ball but it is all Arsenal at the start of his second half. United can barely get on the ball.

Marcus Rashford goes down with a groin problem but he has quickly resumed. That really would be a kick in the teeth for United. Subdued start to the half.

Players out for the second half and though Marcus Rashford is the toast of Old Trafford, there is still a game to win for both sides after Danny Welbeck pulled a goal back. United have never lost a half time Premier League lead at Old Trafford, but Arsenal will attettp to make history as the second half gets under way.

Half time: Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal

It might not have the implications it once has, but Manchester United vs Arsenal doesn't fail to disappoint. Marcus Rashford scores his first Premier League goals on his top flight debut before another local Manchester lad Danny Welbeck pulls one back for the Gunners; setting up the prospect of an thrilling second half.

Mesut Ozil and then Alexis Sanchez denied by a Manchester United wall from a dangerous free-kick. Corner from Ozil is flicked on and the ball hits Schneiderlin on the line.

Goal: Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal (Danny Welbeck)

A goal for another Manchester United youngster, but this time playing for Arsenal as the visitors halve the deficit. Mesut Ozil plays a low free-kick in and Danny Welbeck flicks on and beyond De Gea from eight yards. Game on.

Arsenal started well but they have been overwhelmed by two fine finishes from Rashford amid a shambolic defensive display. Leicester began the day five points clear and with Tottenham losing as well, they're on course to retain that lead.

Goal: Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal (Marcus Rashford)

Can you believe this? Arsenal at sixes and sevens as Rashford doubles the lead almost immediately. Varela keeps the attack alive with a back header and Lingard turns and lofts a ball in and Rashford, totally unmarked, heads into the corner. Quite an arrival and the Gunners are in a world of problems.

Goal: Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal (Marcus Rashford)

The Oscars in America are tonight, but you couldn't write this script. Herrera feeds Varela whose cross is not cleared by Koscileny or Gabriel and Rashford on his league debut pounces on the loose ball and fires beyond Cech.

Second booking for a Manchester United defender, as Michael Carrick scythes down Danny Welbeck. Free kick for Arsenal 30 yards down and Ozil over it. The German swings the ball in and though Sanchez almost latches onto it in the inside right channel, the linesman flags for offside.

Arsenal moving the ball around beautifully at times and they threaten again when Monreal is released down the left and when his cross is cleared Sanchez follows up on the volley but it bounces harmlessly wide.

Manchester United want a penalty after Marcus Rashford is cut down by Bellerin but referee Craig Pawson calls it perfectly and awards a free-kick. Memphis Depay takes the first set piece on, forcing a decent save out of Petr Cech, who did well to cling onto the ball.

Tough afternoon in prospect for for Guillermo Varela marking Alexis Sanchez and it has just got a bit tougher after being shown a yellow card for hauling back the Chilean. Just the 80 minutes to walk the disciplinary tightrope for the full-back.

Arsenal looking very fluid early on and they almost take the lead. Ozil plays a delightful ball over the top of the United defence and Monreal continues his but is denied by his fellow Spaniard De Gea. Monreal not scored since the FA Cup tie last year.

Worth mentioning early on that Theo Walcott, and not Danny Welbeck is starting as the central striker. The former United man begins on the right. Even start so far with little goalmouth action.

Under way at Old Trafford.

Teams out at Old Trafford. This may not be a direct tussle for the title but there is no reason why they can't put on a show before the first showcase final of the season. Updates on the way.

Arsene Wenger on Sky Sports: "We want to respond after Tuesday night. [Goals] it is one of our concerns yes and we want to have quick transition. We analysed well the strengths of Manchester United and I think they found some confidence in the last two games. You need to start the game with the right intensity. I believe that it is a opportunity we have to take because we want to comeback in a strong position."

Earlier in the season, Arsenal tore United apart in the opening 20 minutes with some of the best football any team has produced this season. While it might be a bit much to expect a similar performance, with United's back four looking frail this is a golden chance for the Gunners to grab a much-needed win.

Olivier Giroud has paid the price today for the failure to score in his last eight games, and is replaced by Danny Welbeck. Welbeck returned from injury to score the winner against Leicester and is handed his first league start since returning from a knee injury. He scored the winner when the two teams met in last season's FA Cup, but can he repeat that feat this afternoon?

Sky currently playing a compilation of United vs Arsenal moments in the Premier League, which there have been some cracking encounters only works to emphasise how this game is anything but top billing this particular season.

Louis van Gaal on Sky Sports: "We have 12 injuries and we have to cope with that. There has been no training sessions, we have had to recover and you cannot train anymore. We played that game two games ago. That is unfair competition because Arsenal played Tuesday. I have to say when I see them in the lunches and meetings they are bright and there is a good spirit. I don't think there is more pressure on Arsenal. In England it is modern culture that you have to deal with all the circumstances. We want to continue with our hopes for the fourth position and Arsenal want to be the champions."

Marcus Rashford become the fourth youngster player to start for Manchester United in the Premier League and it further emphasises the injury problems are club are experiencing. The bench this afternoon highlights how the onus is really on the starting eleven to get the job done this afternoon.

The League Cup final from Wembley comes later, but alongside the game at Old Trafford we have Tottenham vs Swansea from White Hart Lane, where Harry Kane starts after breaking his nose last we. Our live blog will keep you abreast of all the goings on in north London.

Three changes for Arsenal. Gabriel, Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck start in place of Per Mertesacker, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud.

Two changes for Manchester United. De Gea is in for Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo return in place of Joe Riley.

Teams:

Manchester United: De Gea; Varela, Carrick, Blind, Rojo; Schneiderlin, Herrera; Lingard, Mata, Memphis; Rashford.

Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Coquelin; Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez; Welbeck.

BREAKING NEWS

David de Gea to start for Manchester United. Full teams to follow.

Ahead of the team being confirmed, what is the team news ahead of the game?

Manchester United were without 14 players in the Europa League but David de Gea could return from a knee problem. Chris Smallling will also be assessed. Anthony Martial became the latest addition to the treatment table in mid-week.

Arsenal are without Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after he went off with a knee problem against Barcelona. There are also concern over the fitness of Mesut Ozil, while Gabriel will be assessed before the game.

There may not be any silverware on offer at Old Trafford this afternoon but you could argue this clash between two Premier League heavyweights is just as important as the game happening at Wembley later this afternoon. Manchester United host an Arsenal side looking to respond to Leicester's win over Norwich yesterday and close the gap at the top. Louis van Gaal meanwhile remains under pressure despite his side reaching the last 16 of the Europa League while his squad is injury hit with Marcus Rashford set to start in attack again. Team news and updates on the way from the Theatre of Dreams.