Arsenal see off sorry Man United to take control of top-four battle

Arsenal took control of the battle to finish in the Premier League top four with a 3-1 win over Manchester United to all but end the Red Devils' hopes of Champions League next season.

Nuno Tavares, Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka struck for Mikel Arteta's men to move them three points clear of Tottenham, who face Brentford later on Saturday.

As it happened | Premier League - Arsenal v Manchester United

Sixth-placed United are six points adrift of the top four and could miss out on European football completely next season.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 22nd goal of the season on his return to the United side after missing Tuesday's 4-0 thrashing at Liverpool due to the death of his newborn son.

However, Ronaldo will regret letting Bruno Fernandes take a second-half penalty with the game finely poised at 2-1 to the Gunners.

Interim United boss Ralf Rangnick described his side's display at Anfield as "humiliating" and "embarrassing".

United reacted to that defeat by formalising the appointment of Ajax boss Erik ten Hag as the man to take charge at Old Trafford from next season.

However, the Dutchman will not have been impressed by another shambolic start from the side he will inherit.

Harry Maguire was dropped to the bench after a traumatic week.

The England international's house was searched by police after receiving a bomb threat.

Maguire has been the target for much of the criticism directed at United this season, but the defence was no better in his absence.

It took just two minutes for the visitors' to be breached as David de Gea's fine save from Saka's initial effort counted for nothing as Tavares swept home the rebound.

There was another show of support for Ronaldo as just as at Anfield in midweek the entire stadium applauded during