Manchester United vs. Arsenal: Score, Grades, Reaction from 2014/15 FA Cup

Danny Welbeck marked his return to Old Trafford with the winning goal as Arsenal advanced to the FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United Monday night.

Nacho Monreal put the Gunners ahead in the 25th minute, but Wayne Rooney pulled the hosts level with a header just four minutes later. With the match in the balance, Welbeck—who signed for Arsenal from United last September—took advantage of a defensive miscue to net the winner in the 61st minute.

United finished the match with 10 men after Angel Di Maria drew a pair of yellow cards within moments of each other late in the second half.

The win was Arsenal's first at Old Trafford since 2006, and it will surely come as a boost to Arsene Wenger's men as they seek to retain the FA Cup after lifting the trophy last season. The Gunners now find themselves in the final four and are only two wins away from a second trophy in as many seasons.

For United, it will be a disappointing defeat, though not quite calamitous. As manager Louis van Gaal noted, per Sky Sports, in the buildup to the match, finishing in the top four was the priority this season.

In the semi-finals, Arsenal will play either Bradford City or Reading at Wembley. On the other side of the draw, Aston Villa will play either Liverpool or Blackburn Rovers.

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Ahead of kick-off, the histories of the two clubs promised a cracking game, and the first 45 minutes fully delivered.

In the third minute, Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez had a first sight of goal, but after cutting inside from the left flank, his first shot was blocked, and his second deflected harmlessly into the arms of Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea.

At the other end, Rooney flicked a Di Maria corner across the face of goal in the seventh minute, but no United player was on hand to turn the ball into the net.

Six minutes later, United created another half-chance as Chris Smalling played Marouane Fellaini through inside Arsenal's box. The big Belgian had an opportunity to shoot early but instead hesitated, giving Arsenal's defenders time to intervene.

Jon Super/Associated Press

In the 20th minute, United's Ashley Young fired an off-balance shot over the bar after Fellaini played provider with an inviting pass inside the box.

United had created the better chances to that point, but Arsenal grabbed the opening goal in the 21st minute. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain served as the catalyst, receiving a pass on the right before displaying excellent close control while dribbling across the edge of the box. The England midfielder picked out an unmarked Monreal on the left, and Monreal finished past De Gea at the near post for a 1-0 Arsenal lead.

It did not last long.

In the 29th minute, United struck back as Di Maria and Rooney combined for a lovely goal. Collecting the ball on the right, Di Maria set up his favoured left foot and curled an inch-perfect cross into the box for Rooney, who had found a pocket of space behind Laurent Koscielny to head in for the equaliser.

Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail highlighted the rollercoaster for Arsenal fans:

The score remained the same until half-time, though both teams had further opportunities to score before the interval.

In the 31st minute, Welbeck headed tamely at De Gea, who saved. Five minutes later, Smalling sent a looping header well over the bar from a corner.

Four minutes before the break, Rooney tried to chip in a shot over Szczesny as United attempted to hit Arsenal with a fast attack. However, Szczesny was well-positioned to make a comfortable save.

In the 43rd minute, Di Maria got behind Monreal on United's left flank and latched on to a long ball over the top. The Argentinian shot from a tight angle, but Szczesny saved again.

Jon Super/Associated Press

De Gea saved at the other end in the 44th minute, moving low to his right to keep out a curling Santi Cazorla free-kick. One minute later, Szczesny stopped Fellaini's low left-footed drive from outside the box.

United made two substitutions at half-time, with Michael Carrick and Phil Jones replacing Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw. Arsenal were forced into a change in the 51st minute as Oxlade-Chamberlain left the match with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Aaron Ramsey replaced him in midfield. 

The visitors had a good chance on the break in the 53rd minute, when Cazorla won possession off Smalling before picking out Sanchez with a pass to the left side of the box. Sanchez went for goal, but his shot deflected to De Gea, who saved.

The second half was turning out decidedly less exciting than the first, but the match suddenly sparked to life in the 61st minute.

First, United missed a big chance following a quick attack through Arsenal's midsection. Holding the ball in midfield, Fellaini spotted Di Maria's run through the middle and picked out the Argentinian with a well-weighted pass. Angling to the left side of the box, Di Maria shot back across his body, sending the ball narrowly wide of the far post.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Moments later, Arsenal took the lead for a second time. From the ensuing goal-kick, United's Jones won possession and passed to Antonio Valencia, who quickly attempted a back pass to De Gea. The Ecuadorian was careless, though, and Welbeck raced in to intercept.

From there, the former Manchester United man rounded De Gea and slotted calmly into the empty net for a 2-1 Arsenal lead with just under 30 minutes left.

Again United responded well, sending wave after wave of attacks at their visitors. In the 65th minute, Smalling lifted the ball over the bar from six yards after Carrick flicked a corner into the goalmouth. Three minutes later, Fellaini headed tamely at Szczesny after Young pulled back a dangerous cross from deep on the left.

De Gea made a top-class save in the 74th minute to keep his side in the match. Sanchez set up the chance with a cross from the left, and Cazorla hit the target with a well-struck volley toward the bottom corner. But De Gea moved swiftly to his left to paw away the shot.

United went down to 10 men three minutes later, as Di Maria experienced a moment of madness. First, the Argentinian received a booking for what referee Michael Oliver deemed simulation during a challenge with Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey. Then, while contesting the decision, Di Maria grabbed the referee's shirt, drawing a second yellow and subsequent red.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, United kept attacking. In the 81st minute, Rooney hit a free-kick over the bar from just outside the box.

The hosts appealed for a penalty in the 86th minute when substitute Adnan Januzaj went to ground in the box under pressure from Monreal. But Oliver again ruled that it was simulation and booked Januzaj.

Following the 90 minutes, Arsenal had to negotiate five minutes of stoppage time. But the Gunners had the best chance in the closing minutes, with De Gea tipping a Sanchez shot around the post moments before the final whistle. 

Reaction

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, via BBC Sport:

"

I've said in the dressing room we gave [the game] away by ourselves and that is the biggest disappointment. In the second half, we had the first chance also then we gave it away again.

We don't lose from the opponent, we lost from ourselves and it was very disappointing. You play this match to win; to beat the opponent, we wanted to be in the semi-final.

…

In Spain (Di Maria) knows that he doesn't touch the referee, but that is also in his emotion. I've already spoken with him, he knows my opinion but also I have to see on the video. I think he's touched the referee and that's forbidden in every country, so he has no excuses.

"

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, via BBC Sport:

"

Last year we played a tricky game at Wembley in the semi-final and we expect that again. Tonight I thought we played well and deserved to win the game.

We had to start without apprehension and play at a a high pace and we did that well. Danny Welbeck, I believe is just happy to score. He worked extremely hard today and deserved his goal.

We live in the real world and want to compete in every competition. This result can give us good morale for the Premier League and the game in Monaco.

"

Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker, via BBC Sport:

"

In the second half there was a feeling we could get something out of it. The crowd got nervous, we were rewarded with the second goal and then we defended from the top in a special way.

Danny Welbeck was a great player here at United, he's a bit quiet in the dressing room at the moment. I think it hurts him a bit as well as he was here for a long time. We tried to get him going and to tell him he can enjoy special moments with Arsenal.

"

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