United started resoultely before Eddie Nketiah broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark, with the young striker going on to complete his hat-trick before Fábio Vieira’s penalty, and a late goal from Takehiro Tomiyasu, capped another difficult day for United.
Defeat will increase talk about Heckingbottom’s future, with the Blades rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table and still looking for their first win of what is shaping up to be a pretty miserable season so far. Here’s how we rated the Blades’ players at the Emirates...
1. Wes Foderingham 4
Was having a pretty comfortable time of it until Nketiah turned past Trusty and fired the home side ahead. His first real save of note was a good one, turning Martinelli’s well-struck shot behind, but he won’t look back on Nketiah’s second with much fondness as he flapped at a corner and could only palm it into the striker’s path. Despite a VAR check, with United claiming their goalkeeper was impeded by White, the goal stood
2. Jayden Bogle 3
Kept his place despite the return of George Baldock to the squad and left his early mark on Martinelli with a late challenge that left the Arsenal man stricken on the turf. Booked later on for bringing down Trossard and his tough afternoon was ended when he made way for Baldock on his return from injury
3. Auston Trusty 4
Made his return to the Emirates after leaving Arsenal in the summer but couldn’t do enough to prevent former teammate Nketiah from opening the scoring after a good touch and clever movement from Rice’s cross. Was up the task soon after with a great recovery tackle to snuff out the danger as Zinchenko was sent clear on goal, and showed good awareness to head clear an effort that may have crept in with Foderingham diving the other way
4. Jack Robinson 4
Had to be alert early in the game to snuff out the danger after a deflected shot almost fell in the path of Kai Havertz. Did well soon after when Saka looked to fashion a bit of space