Manchester United saw the best and worst of Christian Eriksen in 25 seconds against Arsenal

Manchester United are perhaps the only team in world football that can sign two new midfielders in the summer transfer window, and still be faced with a midfield crisis in the first match after it closes.

That was the case for the trip to face Arsenal yesterday, with Mason Mount and Scott McTominay both missing through injury, teenager Kobbie Mainoo still sidelined, and Sofyan Amrabat not registering in time.

Rather than a revolutinary midfield selection, United reverted to last season's blueprint, with Christian Eriksen the man selected to partner Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in his customary playmaker role.

The result was as expected: United posed a creative threat whenever they got on the ball but struggled defensively against the swarm of attacks from the hosts.

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There was a common theme during this fixture last season: whichever team had a recognised defensive midfielder won. Thomas Partey had missed Arsenal's defeat at Old Trafford, and Casemiro was suspended for United's defeat at The Emirates earlier in the year.

Arsenal's defensive talisman was missing again on Sunday, though they recruited well in the summer, with Declan Rice a brilliant addition who performed well again, while it was a mixed bag for United's replacement in Eriksen.

The Danish international needed a big performance on his return to North London after a summer in which two midfielders were signed; we saw both the best and worst of him inside a frantic 30 seconds that saw both sides find the back of the net.

Eriksen is perhaps the only midfielder of the three who would have been able to execute the inch-perfect assist for Marcus Rashford to fire United into the lead, though he is the weakest out