Match Report: Manchester United 0:1 Arsenal | Premier League | May 2024
Manchester United hosted Arsenal at Old Trafford in a highly-anticipated Sunday evening Premier League fixture. Following a disappointing defeat in London on Monday, all eyes were on the response of Erik ten Hag’s men against a powerful visiting outfit.
United were hoping to avoid a first league-double defeat against the Gunners since 2006/07, following a 3-1 loss in the reverse fixture early this season.
Despite the doom and gloom overshadowing a rare sunny day in Manchester, the Reds had tasted defeat just once in the last 16 home Premier League meetings against the Londoners.
New faces amongst the starting XI
Bruno Fernandes missed out on a second successive outing through injury – while Mason Mount could not follow up his London start following a slight injury during a routine session on Thursday. Marcus Rashford was also a notable omission – following a return to first-team training on Thursday.
Sofyan Amrabat and Amad Diallo came into the starting eleven, with the bench resembling an under-21 side. Casemiro and Jonny Evans retained their defensive partnership following a complete lack of options.
In contrast, the visitors had a wealth of starters to choose from, with an aim to retain their fight for Premier League honours.
Advantage Arsenal at the break
Ten Hag opted to play Amrabat and Kobbie Mainoo as a holding pair in front of the defence. The renewed structure within the side allowed United to go toe to toe with the visitors from the opening whistle.
Arsenal got the opener after 21 minutes through Leandro Trossard, however. Casemiro’s recent woes again laid bare – as the Brazilian allowed a calamity of defensive errors to gift Trossard a tap-in from close range.
The impressive Amad displayed his creativity on the ball in several moments, with his close control causing endless difficulty for the Arsenal defence.
He had a shout for a penalty turned down after 37 minutes when he beat several men to make his way inside the box before falling over Thomas Partey’s loose leg. VAR decided that the winger made contact with the leg.
It was a first half with plenty of free-flowing football at either end, with Ten Hag’s structure impressing in a much-changed side. That said, there were few quality moments, and the difference was an unfortunate characteristic error from the troubled Casemiro.
United managed eight shots in the opening 45 – the joint-most that Arsenal faced in the first half of a league meeting this season. But, despite their best efforts, the Reds failed to find the target with any.
Amad and Amrabat supplied impressive individual performances in the opening half, adding further steel to the manager’s decision to start both.
The rain came out to play
The second half began much as the first ended. It was a tentative game, with plenty of would-be opportunities cancelled out by largely impressive defensive showings on either end.
The tricky Amad suffered an injury after 68 minutes, supplying an unfortunate end to an impressive start. He was replaced by Antony, who netted on his United debut in this fixture last season.
Willy Kambwala replaced a visibly tired Evans after 75 minutes, marking his first appearance since the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in April.
Garnacho was a constant threat with his running behind the backline and endless desire to get into the box. McTominay presented him with half an opportunity two minutes later, with the Argentine fired agonisingly into the side netting.
Arsenal went straight up the other end, and Gabriel Martinelli came close to doubling their lead, but for an impressive stop from André Onana.
Declan Rice tested Onana again two moments later, collecting a bouncing ball outside the box from an Arsenal corner kick. The impressive keeper was again up to the challenge.
The Manchester heavens opened after 85 minutes, with thunder and lightning joining those in attendance for a nail-biting final sequence.
A stoppage for a Rice tackle on Mainoo allowed Ten Hag one final opportunity to alter the tide of the fixture with a triple substitution. Omari Forson, Ethan Wheatley and Christian Eriksen on for Amrabat, Wan Bissaka and Hojlund.
Six minutes of added time was announced amongst the Manchester rain, and United positioned themselves deep into opposition territory. Arsenal stood firm with every man behind the ball, withstanding a barrage of attempts from Ten Hag’s men.
A huge three points for Arsenal see Arteta’s side climb back to the top of the table, with a point advantage over Manchester City (although Pep Guardiola’s side have a fixture in hand).
The defeat leaves United in eighth position, three points behind Chelsea and Newcastle – with two fixtures remaining. This was a much-improved performance from Ten Hag’s side, but a formidable Arsenal defence bettered his attacking line.
The Reds welcome Newcastle to Old Trafford on Wednesday evening in what could be a massive fixture for European football next season.
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