Andre Onana had a challenging match, struggling with his distribution and experiencing a few nervous moments, particularly in the first half. Toward the end of the game, he almost caused a costly mistake when he deflected the ball into Gabriel Martinelli’s path. Fortunately for him, the Brazilian forward missed the target and appeared to be in an offside position.
Matthijs de Ligt put in another commanding defensive display, showcasing his physicality and strong passing ability from the back. Meanwhile, Victor Lindelof had an inconsistent performance, making some errors early on but gradually finding his rhythm as the game progressed. Leny Yoro, on the other hand, was dependable in defense, winning most of his duels. He was taken off at halftime, likely due to an injury, though the severity remains unclear.
Noussair Mazraoui delivered an excellent performance, pushing forward more frequently than usual from his wing-back role. He nearly scored, but his shot was well saved by David Raya. His link-up play with Alejandro Garnacho on the right side was particularly effective. In midfield, Casemiro had a mixed game. He was dispossessed in a dangerous area in the first half, allowing Arsenal to break forward. He also failed to close down Declan Rice for Arsenal’s equalizer. However, his pressing led to a chance for Rasmus Hojlund, though the striker couldn’t capitalize.
Bruno Fernandes was the standout performer, proving once again to be United’s most influential player. His superb free-kick gave his team the lead just before halftime. Though United struggled to create chances, Fernandes’ brilliance made a significant impact. He came close to scoring a second goal after a clever combination play in the Arsenal box, but his shot lacked power. In the dying moments of the match, he nearly snatched a winner, only to be denied by a fantastic save from Raya.
Diogo Dalot showed some improvement compared to his recent displays but still lacked effectiveness in the attacking third. Christian Eriksen attempted to support the team by dropping deep to assist in build-up play but was easily bypassed on several occasions. Alejandro Garnacho, however, was one of United’s brightest players, causing constant problems for Arsenal’s defense. His crosses into the box were consistently dangerous, making him a key attacking threat throughout the game.
Joshua Zirkzee had a relatively quiet match and wasn’t as involved as he usually is. He almost scored with an audacious backheel attempt, but Raya managed to collect the ball. Among the substitutes, Ayden Heaven impressed on his Premier League debut, showing composure beyond his years and making very few mistakes. Toby Collyer also made a positive contribution, delivering a good cross to Hojlund, though the striker failed to make the most of it.
Rasmus Hojlund had a disappointing outing, missing two excellent opportunities to win the game. The first chance was particularly costly, as he hesitated, giving Declan Rice enough time to recover and make a crucial tackle. His lack of clinical finishing proved to be a major letdown for United.
Overall, United had a mixed performance, with individual brilliance from Fernandes and Garnacho standing out. However, defensive lapses and missed opportunities ultimately prevented them from securing a much-needed victory.
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