Manchester United drew 1-1 with rivals Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, sharing the spoils in Premier League action. Ruben Amorim’s side looked the better team for much of the match as the Gunners continue struggling without their best forwards, but they couldn’t finish the job against Mikel Arteta’s limping side.
The Reds started the match holding off Arsenal attacks but didn’t have too much trouble in doing so. The scariest moment was when the United defense nearly gave them an opening goal in the fourth minute, but the lapse was dealt with. Andre Onana had to make a save around the 20th minute as Martin Odegaard fired a shot from the top of the box, but it was simple enough for him to make the save.
United had some short spells of their own in the opening half hour, finding quick opportunities to break after winning the ball in a low block. Bruno and Garnacho showed some good technique to steer the ball onward, but the final ball was lacking for the Reds.
The first shot on target for United came in stoppage time of the first half after Leandro Trossard dragged down Garnacho from behind about 25 yards out from goal. David Raya presented an entire side of the goal for Bruno Fernandes, who obliged with a bending attempt over the wall and into the goal in front of the Stretford End.
It was a well-struck and well-placed free kick from the captain to give the Reds all the momentum going into the second half, taking advantage of Raya’s dare and showing once again that Bruno is answering the calls for leadership on the pitch.
The start of the second half saw Arsenal pick things up a little bit, winning a series of corners but never doing more than firing ambitious shots from just outside the box.
United, on the other hand, had a chance to double their lead early in the second half.
The space the Gunners left behind when attacking proved advantageous for United, who have been a mixed bag in transition, or indeed any form of play, this season. Breakaway chances saw Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee both have chances from close range to add to the lead, but David Raya made good saves in both instances.
Despite the positive moments, there was a feeling that those missed opportunities would come back to bite United, and that was the case. Declan Rice equalized in the 74th minute, arriving unmarked at the top of the box to fire a shot into the far corner of the net. The defense was far too careless from the Reds. They were slow to close down the Gunners in those areas throughout the game and Rice finally made them pay.
United had a folded chance to retake the lead in the 85th minute. Substitute Rasmus Hojlund was gifted a poor back pass, but he lacked the awareness to create a shot before Rice closed him down with an excellent sliding tackle.
There would be one more painfully close opportunity to take all three points, with Bruno Fernandes arriving on a ball across from Mazraoui late into stoppage time. Raya again stepped up and made the save, and kept his head to stand up and punch the ball away from Toby Collyer as he arrived on the rebound.
United need any points they can get, but the win was there for them to take in the second half. It’s a frustrating result, but a positive performance in terms of belief.
We go again in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday to keep the push for Europe alive.