The former England and Manchester United midfielder was handed the job on an interim basis amid widespread criticism but has gone a long way towards silencing his detractors, having begun his tenure by masterminding a 2–0 victory over Manchester City last week.

It was Arsenal’s game to lose at the Emirates on Sunday, as a Lisandro Martinez own goal handed the hosts a 29th-minute lead.

Far from building on that advantage, however, it was United who struck next when Bryan Mbeumo levelled the score on 37 minutes.

A storming strike from wide man Patrick Dorgu on 50 minutes then put United ahead.

As the game wound down, it looked as though Carrick’s side had done enough to claim all three points, but a poorly defended corner allowed Mikel Merino to poke home an 84th-minute equaliser.

And with both teams searching for a winner, it was a truly magnificent strike from outside the area by Matheus Cunha, three minutes from time, that handed all three points to a revitalised United squad.

Arsenal had dominated the opening exchanges and created an early half-chance from a Bukayo Saka corner on 10 minutes, which was lifted over the bar by a back-pedalling Leandro Trossard following Casemiro’s half-cleared header.

Senne Lammens was forced into a fine save on 16 minutes as a superb Declan Rice free-kick from the right was headed goalwards by Martin Zubimendi from six yards out.

The United goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent Martinez from giving Arsenal the lead, however, as a deep cross from the left was headed into the air by Dorgu and collected by Saka. He teed up Martin Odegaard, whose sliced volley into the six-yard box saw Martinez miss his clearance, the ball ricocheting off his standing foot and into the net.

William Saliba was then forced into a quick recovery to deflect a Bruno Fernandes effort behind for a corner, but Arsenal were punished moments later when a defensive error from Zubimendi allowed Mbeumo in to score.

Off balance, Zubimendi attempted to play the ball back to David Raya, only for Mbeumo to nip in and roll the ball past the stranded goalkeeper.

Zubimendi tried to make amends with a 15-yard effort that was well blocked by Harry Maguire.

Arsenal had been the better side while the match was goalless but looked vulnerable after taking the lead.

The first half ended with Mbeumo attempting to chip Raya from the edge of the area, his effort drifting a couple of yards wide.

Still reeling from relinquishing their advantage, the league leaders soon found themselves behind after a sublime effort from Dorgu, who surged forward following a mazy run and a pair of one-twos with Fernandes before curling an unstoppable shot away from Raya and in off the underside of the bar.

Mbeumo then fired narrowly wide from a tight angle after more good approach play from the visitors.

The Cameroon international was soon forced into defensive duties as another dangerous Saka corner dipped under the crossbar, Lammens mistiming his punch before Mbeumo hacked the ball off the goal line.

Mikel Arteta made a raft of changes on the hour, introducing Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres, Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze for Piero Hincapie, Gabriel Jesus, Odegaard and Zubimendi.

Carrick responded by bringing on Cunha for Mbeumo, with United looking comfortable enough to see out the contest.

But Arsenal had other ideas as yet another Saka corner caused chaos in the United box, leaving Lammens helpless before a Maguire header fell kindly for Merino to scoop home from close range.

The hosts were still celebrating when Cunha collected a pass from Kobbie Mainoo fully 30 yards from goal and unleashed a powerful curling effort past the outstretched Raya and into the bottom-right corner.

Seven minutes of stoppage time proved insufficient to save Arteta’s side as they suffered their first home defeat of the season.

Arsenal remain top of the table with 50 points from 23 games, though their lead over Manchester City and Aston Villa has been cut to four points.

Manchester United moved up to fourth on 38 points from 23 matches, securing their first win at the Emirates since 2017.

Nedbank Cup Round of 32 draw