Match Review: Manchester United vs Arsenal

Manchester United vs Arsenal - Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United have lost at home vs Arsenal for the first time since 2006 as their woeful home form continues.

How did Manchester United Set Up?

Manchester United set up in the heralded 442 diamond against Arsenal. The formation worked down to a tee against RB Leipzig in mid week so it was really a no brainer that we would see Ole set up the side in the formation again.

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The team:

David de Gea(GK), Aaron Wan-Bissaka(RB), Victor Lindelof(CB), Harry Maguire(CB), Luke Shaw(LB), Fred(CDM), Scott McTominay(RCM), Paul Pogba(LCM), Bruno Fernandes(CAM), Mason Greenwood(RS), Marcus Rashford(LS).

Manchester United vs Arsenal: How It Went Down

It’s fair to admit from start to finish Manchester United were beaten. Physically, mentally and on talent, Solskjaer’s men were no match for Mikel Arteta’s gunners, which is madness to suggest. Especially at home, one thing we have grown to expect from Manchester United against Arsenal is physical presence and fight. Whether it’s Gary Neville kicking Antonio Reyes off the park, God test his soul, or Fellaini leaning on Laurent Koscielny, Manchester United get up for this fixture at Old Trafford.

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It seems now though, like all our Old Trafford outings this season in the league, United have lacked that grit, that spark needed to win games. Ole against Chelsea suggested it’s due to a lack of a crowd, well its got to be deeper than that, considering, no one else in the big 6 are struggling to this degree.

In the first half, Manchester United were pinned in their own half by an effective Arsenal press. Any attempt to bypass the press was quickly snuffed out by the likes of Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny. The only joy we did have was when David de Gea went long and even the. The ball didn’t stick.

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Arsenal were the team wanting the points, they came so close with Aubameyang’s back post chance and Lacazette in the centre of the box. They were unable to convert though and United limped over the line at half time. The main problem was the disconnect between the midfield 4 and the rest of the team.

Scott McTominay’s sub par performance in midfield along with Fred’s poor passing and Pogba’s poor ball retention meant that we couldn’t assert ourselves and kept inviting pressure. Rashford and Greenwood were starved of any of the ball in the first half. The only good thing we created was a brilliant ball from Rashford to find Greenwood who took the chance first time and was saved by Leno, the only time we troubled the German.

Second Half

The second half was more of the same with some added impetus. The game didn’t come alive for either side till Matic came on for Fred and United looked better going forward. However, in all our exploits going forward we were hit on the break and Found ourselves in our own box defending. Bellerin was an unmarked runner in the box and Pogba in a clumsy attempt to win the ball took the Spanish right back down. Aubameyang slotted away the penalty. 1-0 Arsenal.

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Apart from some huffing and puffing Manchester United didn’t land a glove on Arsenals goal. Maybe Gabriel Magalhaes should’ve been shown a red for a second challenge on Greenwood but that does take away from the fact that Manchester United rolled over. The midfield let us down massively and could easily be seen to be hiding at times in all honesty.

1 point from a possible 12 at Old Trafford is shocking for a Manchester United team. The pressure is certainly mounting on Solskjaer despite our success in Europe.

Final Score: Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal.