Manchester United hosted Arsenal at Old Trafford for a pivotal encounter in the Premier League.
Andre Onana was positioned in goal, while Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Victor Lindelof comprised the back three, marking a rare starting opportunity for the Swedish defender.
Diogo Dalot continued in the left wing-back role due to Patrick Dorgu’s suspension, with Noussair Mazraoui occupying the right wing-back position.
In midfield, Casemiro was paired with Bruno Fernandes.
The attacking trio consisted of Christian Eriksen, Alejandro Garnacho, and Joshua Zirkzee.
Here are five insights gained from the match.
Bruno Fernandes conjures up his magic again
The Red Devils encountered significant challenges in the first half, as the visitors maintained control of the ball for the majority of the period.
Captain Fernandes appeared to have minimal involvement, with the Arsenal midfield effectively orchestrating the game.
However, the Portuguese international requires only a brief opportunity to inflict damage on opposing teams, and he demonstrated this with a remarkable free kick that secured a half-time advantage for United.
The United captain replicated this feat just a few weeks prior, scoring another exceptional free kick against Everton that played a crucial role in earning his team a draw at Goodison Park.
Since the long-term injury to Amad Diallo, he has truly risen to the occasion and continues to be the driving force behind the team’s attacking efforts.
Andre Onana’s kicking goes from bad to worse
Prior to his transfer to Manchester in 2023, Onana was widely acknowledged as one of the premier ball-playing goalkeepers globally. His exceptional skills on the ball were so impressive that Pep Guardiola advised his Manchester City players to refrain from pressing him during the 2023 Champions League final.
Unfortunately, supporters of United have seldom witnessed the full extent of his abilities. Recently, he has been notably prone to errors, and his kicking has significantly declined.
In today’s match, there were numerous instances where long passes went out of play, and he placed his defenders in difficult situations with ill-advised passes. Nevertheless, the Cameroonian did manage to make a few crucial late saves in United’s 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad, which could be crucial for the overall outcome of the tie. However, it is increasingly challenging to discern the value he adds to the team.
United look better defending deeper
Ruben Amorim’s long-term vision is evidently to transform United into a formidable attacking force that seeks to dominate their rivals.
However, due to a significant number of injuries and several players in the squad who do not align with his tactical approach, the team has frequently appeared more effective when adopting a low-block strategy since his appointment as manager.
Most of Amorim’s notable successes have been achieved against stronger opponents, where the defensive setup can serve as an asset to address vulnerabilities.
The team ultimately conceded after 74 minutes when Declan Rice scored a well-placed shot from distance. This may suggest a pragmatic approach in the short term, particularly as they aim for success in the Europa League, where the primary objective is to secure victories.
Once the manager has the opportunity to refine his strategies during the summer training sessions and welcomes more players back from injury or through new signings, he can begin to emphasize his authentic footballing philosophy.
United punished again for poor finishing
The Red Devils have struggled to create numerous opportunities this season, and they have been particularly wasteful with the few chances they have managed to generate.
In the second half, United had two significant opportunities through Mazraoui and Zirkzee to extend their lead following swift counter-attacks; however, both players were unable to convert from close range. It is worth noting that Raya made some impressive reflex saves that contributed to their failure to score.
Rather than establishing a comfortable lead, a sense of unease settled over Old Trafford as Arsenal equalized, taking advantage of United’s profligacy in front of goal.
This was exemplified when Casemiro intercepted the ball high on the pitch, setting up Rasmus Hojlund for a one-on-one situation with David Raya. Unfortunately, Hojlund was unable to get a shot off as Rice reclaimed possession due to the Dane’s indecision at a critical moment.
Looking ahead, the Red Devils must significantly enhance their shot conversion rate if they hope to succeed in both league and cup competitions.
Ayden Heaven impresses against former side
Much of the media coverage focused on the possibility of Chido Obi competing against his former team; however, it was Heaven who seized the opportunity by taking Leny Yoro’s place at halftime.
The 18-year-old delivered a remarkable performance characterized by youthful exuberance and bravery.
While he may have benefited from a questionable handball incident, he successfully executed numerous tackles and shared a memorable interaction with the Old Trafford crowd, encouraging them after executing a strong challenge that disrupted Arsenal’s momentum.
He demonstrated skill on the ball and exhibited the confidence to advance it, showcasing a performance rich with potential.
Heaven may have another opportunity to shine, contingent upon Yoro’s fitness leading up to Thursday’s crucial match against Real Sociedad.