Manchester United’s five things noticed vs Arsenal, Bruno Fernandes shines despite worrying trend (Premier League)

Five things noticed as Manchester United drew 1-1 with Arsenal during a tense Premier League fixture at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

Rúben Amorim chose to start Joshua Zirkzee as the striker as Manchester United lined up to face Arsenal at Old Trafford on a sunny Sunday afternoon fixture in the Premier League.

The tie started tentatively, with Arsenal dominating possession in the opening 20 minutes, but neither side could create a clear-cut chance. Although Arsenal were the side who looked to be edging into the lead, it was Bruno Fernandes who opened the scoring with a brilliant free kick just before half-time.

At the start of the second half, Leny Yoro had to be replaced by Ayden Heaven due to injury, and the first real chance of the 45 minutes fell to Noussair Mazraoui, who was denied by David Raya from close range in spectacular fashion.

Zirkzee came close not too long later but was also denied by Raya. However, Declan Rice struck next, with his long-range effort flying past André Onana. Amorim then responded by throwing Rasmus Højlund and Toby Collyer on with 15 minutes to play.

United then thought they had a winning goal deep into injury time after Fernandes was supplied with a brilliant chance, but a double save from Raya made sure the ball did not cross the line and the tie ended with one goal apiece.

#1 – Amorim finally answers fan calls

After starting the last six games in a row up front and eight of the last ten, Amorim chose to drop Højlund from the starting XI, a move fans have been calling for, and play Zirkzee up front.

However, in the opening 45 minutes, Zirkzee was not too effective upfront, having just 12 touches in the first half and completing just four passes, much fewer than his usual involvement when he plays a little deeper.

This game has shown that Zirkzee is better when playing deeper, and after Højlund came on he had a few half-chances to score but could not convert. The pair will likely resume their previous roles when the club welcome Real Sociedad on Thursday.

#2 – A worrying trend continues despite Fernandes’ finish

Fernandes’ first-half free kick was nothing short of magnificent, although it also secured a slightly worrying trend that United have failed to break in over three months.

The last time United scored a goal from open play in the first 45 minutes of a tie still remains on 7 December against Nottingham Forest, which has seriously hampered the squad in the last few months.

United have scored a few first-half goals since then, but they all have come from set-piece situations.

#3 – A tactical tweak at half-time

Compared to the first 45 minutes, United came flying out the blocks in the second half and applied much more pressure on Arsenal, and bar two stunning stops from Raya, they could have doubled their advantage in the opening stages.

It was clear that Amorim had chosen to instruct his players to operate in more of a high press in the second half as they looked to become more physically dominant and squeeze Arsenal off the ball, and it took an effort from outside the box for the visitor to equalise.

United continued to look sharp and positive despite conceding the goal and came so close to a winning effort. The side’s defence must also be credited for their good display.

#4 – Onana continuing to frustrate fans

Onana’s goal kicks became a bit of a theme throughout the fixture, with the Cameroon international failing to find his teammates with so many of his long-range passes as Old Trafford grew increasingly frustrated with the shot-stopper.

Read More: Player Ratings – Manchester United vs Arsenal (Premier League)

Arsenal fans made consistent jibes at the goalkeeper, chanting and goading Onana every time he touched the ball, and to be frank, they had a point.

Onana has come under intense criticism of late, and especially when United weren’t dominating the ball, his poor and inaccurate passing allowed Arsenal to put much more pressure than they would have otherwise been afforded on United.

#5 – There is more to that game than the result

Although on the face of it, drawing 1-1 after initially going 1-0 up may not be a fantastic result for United, the performance and fight shown means a lot more.

On a day when fans were protesting against the ownership for poor spending and driving the club into a shocking situation on and off the field, the display put in by the players gives light toward the end of the tunnel for Amorim.

United have been in such a poor place in the last few months, but a spirit performance at Old Trafford leaves both fans and the head coach with positives to draw from it.

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