“we played against a aggressive side and the referree was….” Mikel Arteta give reasons why he lost to COMMON Manchester United despite signing world-class players

Mikel Arteta makes referee claim and shares Jurrien Timber verdict after Man United beat Arsenal

Man United beat the Gunners 2-0 at the MetLife Stadium to continue their perfect start to pre-season

Mikel Arteta has called for more protection from referees after Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.

Goals from Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes helped United capitalise on some individual errors from the Gunners. United were clinical in attack and kept Arsenal at arm’s length in the second half to secure the win.

There was one flash point in the game as Martin Odegaard reacted strongly to Lisandro Martinez’s challenge on Bukayo Saka. The United defender was booked for his full-blood challenge which prompted an exchange of words between both sets of players.

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Asked whether he had an issue with United’s physicality in a pre-season game, Arteta did not point blame at United but instead insisted the referees must offer more protection.

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“They are here to compete and to win as we are,” he said. “It’s the job of the referee to stop it.”

New signing and former United target Jurrien Timber made his debut at right-back. Arteta was pleased with the first impressions he got from the ex-Ajax man.

“With Jurrien, really pleased with his performance and what we asked him to do,” he said. “He’s adapting really quickly to the team. You can see the confidence and the determination he plays with.”

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