Manchester United tried their level best to display a robust performance against Arsenal at the Emirates but Nketiah’s winning goal shattered the hopes of Ten Hag’s men in earning a deserving point out of the game against a very tough opponent. Luke Shaw who was the last man should have covered Nketiah for that easy tap-in.
Man-in-form Rashford started the process for Manchester United with a bang. A beautifully crafted goal way outside the penalty box that beat Ramsdale quite comfortably.
It was Nketiah who equalised inside 5 minutes from the United’s lead through a great cross and a great header. Lisandro Martinez got his first goal for United before Saka hit from a long-range down the left flank. That was some gem of a goal from English International.
Here are the 5 things we have learned from the match.
1. Off day at the office for De Gea.
The Spaniard has been top-notch this season but Saka’a wonderful effort could have been saved if the timing of the jump was better. He was slow to react thus conceding a goal that shouldn’t have happened.
The winning goal was like rubbing salt in the wounds for him and Manchester United. Plus Ten Hag also mentioned that he needs someone who can pass the ball more progressively and command his box is a necessity. He has undoubtedly worked on the distribution under Ten Hag but we need more in terms of the progressional play and maintaining possession.
2. Lack of substitutions for Manchester United and Ten Hag.
With this thin squad, this defeat was pretty much on the cards. But the way the Red Devils performed till the last minutes was something remarkable and out of the box. It was like the old Arsenal-United rivalries were back.
Casemiro was a major absentee for this game. McTominay was disciplined but as far as passing was concerned no one can compete with the Brazillian midfielder in that position for United. But the manager should have worked more on the correct substitutions. Fred came on and did not have an affect and Garnacho came on too late. Sancho, Dalot and Martial are all huge absentees and the squad depth needs improving.
3. Was Dalot one of the missing players from the list?
He provided more long balls and crosses from the right side. His forward runs can threaten the opposition. This player has improved a lot under the Dutchman. We all hope he returns to the squad as fast as possible. Arsenal’s equaliser came from Wan-Bissaka losing the ball under pressure after a poor pass from De Gea. United conceding a corner then, Wan Bissaka being out of position, lost his man at the back post.
4. Rashford’s scintillating form continues but couldn’t get help from his clubmates this time.
His opening goal was something from the top drawer. It was a marvellous strike that put United 1-0 up and almost every other chance we had in the game came through him. The darting runs that he has made, made every United fan believe that some breakthroughs were coming. He was the quickest and brightest player on the pitch for United.
5. Ten Hag wasn’t happy with the defending.
The goals that they scored against United purely showed how the temperament is needed against a club like Arsenal with the world-class football they are playing. The last game was the real test for United. They normally don’t concede goals from the corner but last night they conceded two. The last 10 minutes completely belonged to Arsenal where they had the majority of possession and really pressed hard for the winning goal.
