The only surprise was how long Man United lasted in the race. There is a time and a place for it.
It was a blow to Manchester United's hopes of a top four finish in the league as three of their players scored in a 3-1 win at the Emirates on Saturday.
In the third minute, after United goalkeeper David De Gea pushed away a curling effort by Saka, the visitors were punished for their poor defending as Tavares tapped home.
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Eddie Nketiah was denied a goal by the video assistant referee after a foul on the winger in the build-up to a strike by him that went in but was ruled out for being off target.
The challenge facing incoming manager Erik ten Hag was underscored by the sluggish display that overshadowed fleeting moments in which they threatened and was one of the reasons why the visitors got one back.
The death of one of his newborn twin babies was a traumatic week for the player. In a show of support, the fans of the other team gave a long round of applause to the United player in the seventh minute.
Bruno Fernandes hit the post with a poor effort from the penalty spot in the second half, and Xhaka sealed the win with a thunderbolt in the 70th minute.
The second time in the game the player hit the woodwork, it was after a brilliant save by Ramsdale to push Diogo Dalot's shot onto the post.
The win lifted the north London club to fourth place on 60 points, three behind fifth-place Spurs, who take on Brentford later on Saturday. The interim boss of United is facing a tough task in his final four games.
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