Manchester United 1, Arsenal 1
Scott McTominay’s first half injury time rocket was cancelled out by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal after a VAR check confirmed that Harry Maguire was playing the Gabon striker onside.
This was a far cry from the epic encounters of years gone by, and Arsenal may have extended their non-winning run at Old Trafford to 13 games but both sides rarely looked like contenders for top 4 places.
It was a game that started as a slow burner but gave off sparks of life towards the end mixed with occasional drama – although Arsenal’s equaliser being confirmed by VAR may have counted as drama.
Only Axel Tuanzebe, Paul Pogba, Andreas Pereira, and Jesse Lingard retained their places in the side as Marcus Rashford returned to the starting lineup with Mason Greenwood rested on the bench after scoring against Rochdale last week.
It took 29 minutes for either side to muster a shot on goal – a 29th minute Andreas Pereira shot which was saved by Bernd Leno.
It was the longest any side had gone without trying a shot on goal in the Premier League this season.
Paul Pogba finally put in a good ball when he slid Marcus Rashford in on goal by Sokratis got across to block him off.
Bukayo Saka and Matteo Guendouzi had chances saved by David De Gea after a through ball evaded Andreas Pereira but they Arsenal fell behind to United just before the break.
Daniel James’ cross was cut back to the edge of the D by Marcus Rashford after he couldn’t find a shooting angle. The ball evaded Pogba but reached Scott McTominay who lashed it into the top corner right before half time.
Arsenal were back in front in the second half after a dramatic VAR intervention showed that Harry Maguire was playing everyone onside by a couple of yards when Bukayo Saka was gifted possession by Tuanzebe, found Aubameyang in space, and the Gabon striker finished with aplomb.
The flag went up but was overruled to the glee of the travelling fans.
Both sides upped a gear after the equaliser – Saka’s goalbound strike deflected off Victor Lindelof while Paul Pogba shot wide and McTominay headed ovet the bar from Ashley Young’s corner.
Leno saved from Maguire as both sides went for it. Marcus Rashford’s injury time free kick was saved by Leno while David De Gea saved from Joe Willock as both sides refused to settle for a draw.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 1, Arsenal 1
David De Gea 7: Little to do until called upon to save twice from Bukayo Saka and Matteo Guendouzi shortly before half time.
Axel Tuanzebe: 6. Assured at the back until he gave the ball away that led to the Arsenal equaliser.
Victor Lindelof: 6. Deflected away a potential second goal by Arsenal through Bukayo Saka.
Harry Maguire: 6. Played Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang online for the Arsenal equaliser.
Ashley Young: 6. Started on the right flank, and was given a hard time by Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka.
Scott McTominay: 8. Put himself about in midfield and scored a deserved goal just before half time to put the Gunners on the back foot.
Paul Pogba: 6. The Frenchman didn’t put a decent ball in for a forward to get on the end of until the end of the first half when he slid Daniel James through which ultimately got the goal for United. Curled a second half chance wide.
Andreas Pereira: 6. Had United’s first shot on goal, which Bernd Leno saved, after 29 minutes. Otherwise ineffective.
Jesse Lingard: 6. Largely anonymous.
Daniel James: 7. Proved a dangerous weapon for the counter attack. His surge created the goal and also caused the Gunners lots of problems on the counter attack.
Marcus Rashford: 7. Looked short of sharpness initially but recovered a poor cross by James to pull the ball back for Scott McTominay to score. Had an injury time free kick saved by Bernd Leno.
Mason Greenwood (for Andreas Pereira): 6. No effect on the game.
Fred (for Jesse Lingard 74): 6. No effect on the game.
GOALS – Manchester United 1, Arsenal 1
Man Utd 1, Arsenal 0: 45. Daniel James’ overhit cross was cut back to the edge of the D by Marcus Rashford – the ball reached Scott McTominay 20 yards out in a central position. He lashed it into the top corner via a deflection off Sokratis right before half time.
Man Utd 1, Arsenal 1: 59. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored from Saka’s cross. It was initially ruled offside but a VAR check confirmed that Harry Maguire was playing everyone on by a couple of yards and the goal dramatically stood.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 1, Arsenal 1
Man Utd: De Gea, Tuanzebe, Lindelof, Maguire, Young, McTominay, Pogba, Pereira (Greenwood 74), Lingard (Fred 74), James, Rashford
Man Utd Subs not used: Romero, Mata, Rojo, Matic, Williams
Bookings: Rashford 27 (sliding in on Sokratis), Pereira 32 (bringing down Matteo Guendouzi), Young 41 (obstruction on Matteo Guendouzi), Lingard 68 (sliding in on Mattei Guendouzi)
Goal: McTominay 45
Arsenal: Leno, Chambers, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac, Torreira (Ceballos 55), Xhaka, Guendouzi, Pepe (Nelson 74), Aubameyang, Saka (Willock 80)
Arsenal Subs not used: Martinez, Maitland-Niles, Holding, Martinelli
Bookings: Chambers 10 (fouling Daniel James), Xhaka 77 (foul on Mason Greenwood)
Goal: Aubameyang 59
Referee: Kevin Friend
Attendance: 73,201