Manchester United were held to a stalemate at the Emirates in a game of few chances that saw neither United nor Arsenal take the opportunity for an important win.
A match that required individual quality to decide it
Both managers came with a plan and it could be said that they both got it right. United and Arsenal cancelled each other out at many moments in the game. In the end, it was always going to be a game decided by individual quality or individual error.
United have that individual quality but carried too many passengers against Arsenal, players who did not step up to the challenge.
Cavani had two good chances that most United fans would have backed him to score. He came close with both but ultimately converted neither. Bruno Fernandes and Rashford, meanwhile, could not provide what they had to.
Where is the right winger?
A silly question. He doesn’t exist at Manchester United. Rashford is a left winger who can play up front. Martial is a left-winger-cum-striker. Cavani is a striker. Greenwood is a striker who can be shifted out to the wing. Where is the right winger?
United need a quality player on the right-wing to stretch defences better and provide a better balance to the side.
Rashford is sacrificed on the right-wing in the name of better balance. But it reduces the quality of one of United’s best players.
Unfortunately in the 2021 January market, any signing of such quality is impossible. But come summer, it’s an urgent necessity.
United fail to capitalise on first half chances
The game was there to be won all throughout Saturday’s game but that was particularly true in the first half. United created half-chances, were winning second balls and dominated midfield. Failing to score and assert themselves in the game was disappointing.
Solskjaer bellowed to Rashford at one point, “he cannot defend, take him on if you want”. He was talking about Cedric Soares. Rashford took him on a couple of times but not enough. He’s the kind of player Rashford could have had on toast. Instead, Greenwood replaced him in the second half after an ineffectual afternoon.
No answer to questions of mentality in United set-up
A win would have shown good mentality. A loss would have set up a crucial week for Solskjaer and United, the biggest test of their mentality; could they stay in the title race despite two consecutive defeats? As it was, a draw answers little. United have to prove themselves over the next week now against tough opposition in Southampton and Everton. Anything but two wins will see City’s lead at the top of the table soar to greater heights.
United struggle to beat Arsenal, too. Solskjaer is yet to find a win against the Gunners in the league as United boss.
Full-backs provide creativity for United
United created two big chances against Arsenal, both of them falling to Edinson Cavani and both of them created by full-backs. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw stepped forward when required and got involved in attacks. Both even found themselves in shooting positions. It wasn’t long ago that fans berated both for their lack of attacking output but that has improved to a certain extent recently, particularly with Shaw, who is creating more chances than anyone but Bruno Fernandes in this team.
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