Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Man Utd drew 1-1 with Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon and here are some of the talking points.
Manchester United fans have protested against the ownership of their club throughout the season, but things were turned up a notch against Arsenal. It is estimated around 5,000 supporters took part in the pre-match march from The Tollgate pub to Old Trafford and there was a remarkable response to anti-Glazer chants that sound tracked the match.
Just about everyone in the home section responded to a rendition of ‘stand up if you Glazers’ while there was an extra venom in the air when unsavoury chants were directed at both the American owners and Jim Ratcliffe.
It was certainly an impressive protest, but while Old Trafford continues to sell out, you wonder what impact it will really have. With finances tight, jobs have been cut and ticket prises have risen, but attendances haven’t been impacted. There could be stronger repercussions in the months and years ahead, but there is a growing argument that the most effective protest would be to boycott matches and hit the owners where it really hurts. It shouldn’t have to be that way, though it might be the only way.
Read More
'Have to' - Roy Keane reacts as Manchester United player is dropped for Arsenal clash
'Surprise' - Why Manchester United have dropped Rasmus Hojlund vs Arsenal
‘Surprise’ decision backfires
Ruben Amorim clearly had one eye on the upcoming Real Sociedad match when he opted to rest Rasmus Hojlund against Arsenal. The Danish striker might not have scored in his last 20 appearances for the club, but it still the only natural senior centre-forward they have, with Chido Obi still extremely raw. Amorim put the selection decision primarily down to ‘fitness’ but also said he wanted to ‘surprise’ the Arsenal side by pitting them against the unorthodox Joshua Zirkzee instead.
Zirkzee has impressed in recent weeks as an attacking midfielder, but it is abundantly clear he is not a striker. His tendency to drop deep and lurk on the edge of the box deprived United of a reliable out ball in the match and saw attacks end because there was not any movement in the final third.
Even in this game, he shone almost as an attacking midfielder, with good hold-up play and pressing, but it deprived United of any focal point in the forward line. Hojlund should have done better during his cameo appearance, but there was a huge difference in the threat he gave the Arsenal defenders. If United want an alternative to Hojlund, they need to use Obi instead.
Leny Yoro injury blow
Manchester United were without 11 players for their clash with Arsenal, they could now be without 12. Leny Yoro went down with an issue in the opening moments of the match but opted to stay on and help his side for as long as he could. It was an admirable effort from the teenage centre-back, though it could be a costly one if he is now sidelined for any of the upcoming matches.
United will never want to surrender against Arsenal, but the truth is the upcoming Real Sociedad is a far bigger match and one that will define their season. There would have been few complaints had he been replaced as a precaution to protect him for midweek instead.
Patrick Dorgu will give them another defensive option on Thursday night, but it would be a huge loss to be without Yoro for the most important match of their season.
Ayden Heaven takes his chance
There was plenty of talk about Chido Obi ahead of a possible Arsenal reunion, but it was actually Ayden Heaven who showed his former side exactly what they were missing. The 18-year-old was thrown in at the deep end when he replaced Leny Yoro at half-time and looked totally unfazed by the scrutiny he was under.
Heaven not only displayed the raw physical attributes required to be a Premier League defender, he also showed he could be a perfect fit for Ruben Amorim’s system with his composure on the ball and ability to play out from the back.
At a time when Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw are all injured there is clearly space for another centre-back in the senior pool. A few eyebrows were raised when United announced Hayden as a first-team signing earlier this year. There are no doubts about his seniority now.