Wayne Rooney spotted Gabriel Magalhaes do something he’s ‘not done all season’ vs Man United

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Wayne Rooney has questioned Gabriel Magalhaes’ defending during Arsenal’s defeat against Manchester United.

Arsenal suffered a first Premier League defeat since December 6 as Michael Carrick’s team produced another upset in the title race.

Mikel Arteta’s team remain four points clear at the top of the table; however, Manchester City now have the momentum.

Following the game, Rooney was not impressed by the Gunners’ performance and, for the first time this season, had to call into question Gabriel’s defending.

Wayne Rooney questions Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes

Wayne Rooney has admitted that he very rarely spots Gabriel Magalhaes making a lapse in judgment for Arsenal.

But against his former club, Manchester United, he noticed the Brazilian leaving too much space between himself and William Saliba.

The 28-year-old also stepped forward to play offside, but instead allowed Bryan Mbeumo clean through on goal.

Speaking about the warning signs for Arsenal after going 1-0 up, Rooney told BBC Match of the Day: “You look at Gabriel and Saliba, who have been brilliant all season. But the distance between them is way too big.

“It’s a great pass from Bruno, and then Gabriel does something I’ve not seen him do all season, or very many times, he steps forward trying to play offside, and Mbeumo goes through.”

It’s very rare to see Gabriel have a bad performance, and really, Arsenal’s failure to sustain pressure on United was the reason the defence crumbled.

For the first time in 782 days, Arsenal conceded three goals, and it’s just the first sign of Arteta’s team starting to wobble in the title race.

Wayne Rooney thinks Arsenal played ‘safe’ vs Man United

Rooney also believes that Arsenal played too ‘safe’ against Man United, which allowed Carrick’s team back into the game too easily.

After taking the lead through a Lisandro Martinez own goal, Arteta’s team sat back and were eventually punished three times.

“I think after they went 1-0, they went safe, they didn’t then go and attack Man United. Ultimately, they allowed them back into the game, and they’ve lost the game because of it,” added Rooney.