MAN UTD 1, ARSENAL 1
Disgruntled Manchester United supporters staged another huge protest against the ruling Glazer family before the home game against second-placed Arsenal.
But at least they had something to cheer later in the afternoon as, by holding the Gunners, they put a further dent in their ever-receding Premier League title challenge.
Home fans arrived at Old Trafford with low expectations – surely if the form book ran true this would be a 10th home loss of the campaign in all competitions.
But as they did with winning at the Etihad and holding leaders Liverpool at Anfield, United proved they can lift their game against the top teams.
Bruno Fernandes was again the catalyst as the dynamic Reds’ captain fired United ahead in first half stoppage time with a spectacular free kick.
Though the Mikel Arteta’s side equalised with 16 minutes left through a sweet strike from Declan Rice, they were unable to turn one point into three.
Indeed, on the balance of play in the second period, United were unlucky not to emerge victors. Had it not been for the excellence of keeper David Raya, they would have triumphed.
It was a defeat which leaves Arsenal 15 points behind Liverpool having played one less match.
Liverpool need five wins and a draw from their last nine league games to be crowned champions – that is assuming Arsenal win all their remaining matches.
Arteta said: “It was frustrating not to win the game as we were in full control and the game was clearly for us.
“You have to capitalise when you are so dominant – we didn’t.
“When we had the first half that we had, we were exceptional but didn’t test the keeper.
“We had some unbelievable situations, but we didn’t get the last shot or the last pass. We didn’t capitalise, we rushed the game, we started to lose duels, and we could have ended up losing it.
“Sometimes that is what is missing. The execution has to be in to the right player and the right player to shoot. How we conceded [chances] in certain moments was not acceptable. They have so much quality and they pick the right player and normally that would end in a goal.
“We opened the gate to lose the game. There was no chance to lose the game and we opened it ourselves. I will defend my players all the time, but in those moments we have to do better.”
Amorim was far happier, saying: “When you look at our performance, I was pleased given our problems.
“It helps when you score a goal and don’t suffer [conceding first], you can feel the energy in the stadium.
Embed from Getty Images“In this moment, we try to win games, be compact. We were so near in the second half to score a goal.
“We were really competitive, and that is important. We pushed forward and not back. We had some situations to win the game. Arsenal put a lot of men inside the box to win and I think Alejandro Garnacho did a complete game and that helped us a lot.”
Amorim was also happy with Ayden Heaven – until January an Arsenal player – who made his Premier League debut for United.
“I think he did really well. He is really comfortable with the ball. So relaxed, very aggressive and I think we have a very good player there,” he added.
Amorim and Arteta largely kept faith with the sides that did European duty in midweek.
United’s head coach made two changes from the team that drew 1-1 away to Real Sociedad in the Europa League with defender Victor Lindelof in for suspended Patrick Dorgu while Christian Eriksen returned in midfield with Rasmus Hojlund dropping down to the bench.
Arteta brought in defender Riccardo Calafiori with Myles Lewis-Skelly a substitute after figuring in the 7-1 Champions League win away to PSV Eindhoven.
There was good news for Arteta as Gabriel Martinelli returned as a substitute. He has not played since suffering a hamstring injury in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg loss at Newcastle United on February 5.
United made a nervy start and were almost caught playing out from the back in the opening minutes.
Rice and Martin Odegaard then combined to set up Mikel Merino who dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box.
Joshua Zirkzee pulled a shot well wide as United finally mustered an attempt on goal as Arsenal continued to dominate possession.
Arsenal’s best chance came in the 32nd minute when Leandro Trossard cut inside and bent a shot narrowly wide from 18 yards.
Then out of nowhere, United stole ahead in the second of four added minutes.
Trossard was booked for bringing down Alejandro Garnacho 25 yards from the Gunners’ goal.
Fernandes stepped up to bend the free kick over the defensive wall and beyond the despairing drive of keeper David Raya for his 12th goal of the season.
It was the first time since December 1 that United led a Premier League game at half-time, ending the longest run in the division of not being ahead at the break.
United had an enforced change at the break as the injured Leny Yoro was replaced by Heaven.
Arsenal came close to a leveller early in the second half when a drive from Odegaard was brilliantly tipped over the bar by keeper Andre Onana.
United would have doubled their lead but for an amazing save from Raya whose outstretched right leg deflected Nousaair Mazraoui’s shot for a corner following a left-wing cross from Diogo Dalot.
And they had another great chance when Garnacho crossed to Zirkzee whose cheeky back heel went straight to Raya as United were beginning to play with belief and confidence that has been sadly lacking in recent matches.
Arsenal weathered those nervy moments and equalised with 16 minutes left when Justin Timber cut the ball back from the right for Rice to sweep home a shot from 16 yards which went in off the upright for his fourth goal of the season.
United immediately made two further changes as Zirkzee and Eriksen were replaced by Hojlund and Toby Collyer.
Arsenal went in pursuit of a winner as substitute Gabriel Martinelli broke on the right and his fierce shot was turned around the post for a corner by Onana.
Hojlund found himself through on goal only for Rice to save the day with a last-ditch tackle.
Garnacho also fired narrowly over as United made a strong finish as they pursued a winning goal.
Arsenal almost snatched victory in the second of four added minutes when Odegaard’s effort was parried by Onana and Martinelli fired the rebound over from inside the six-yard box, though the Argentine’s blushes would have been spared by a flag for offside.
And in the dying seconds, United almost won the game when Raya pulled off another super save to deny Fernandes then recover to claw out the ball which was spinning back towards goal.