Given what happened on Monday at Crystal Palace, their continued injury problems and the fact they were facing Arsenal, the second-best team in the league who were still fighting for the title, this could have gone a lot worse for Manchester United.
After conceding a frustratingly avoidable goal due to Casemiro’s apparent lack of knowledge of the offside rule and Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s inability to track Leandro Trossard, Erik ten Hag’s side regained their composure and showed fighting spirit. They were the better team in the second half and had Arsenal begging for the final whistle. But they still sank to a 14th Premier League defeat of the season, and it rarely looked like they were actually going to score.
There are still two games left of this dire league season and two opportunities for things to get even worse. And yet, this was also a reminder that, when the team stands up and fights, they can at least compete with the very best.
GOAL rates United’s players from Old Trafford…
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Goalkeeper & Defence
Andre Onana (6/10):
Made a flurry of good saves in the second half. Could be blamed for giving the ball away in the build-up to the only goal.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (5/10):
Placed at right-back after struggling on the left, but it made little difference as he lost track of Trossard for the goal. Steadied himself from then on and had a good second half.
Casemiro (4/10):
Didn’t bother to push up and played Havertz onside. His passes were often under-cooked, though he did at least improve in the second half.
Jonny Evans (5/10):
Gave Havertz too much space and was powerless to stop him setting up Trossard. Further proof, if any was needed, that he cannot cope at this level any more.
Diogo Dalot (6/10):
One of few United players to show any confidence, belief or quality. Shackled Saka and occasionally looked dangerous in attack.
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Midfield
Sofyan Amrabat (6/10):
Surprisingly good given the occasion and his previous performances. Strong and combative. A shame he couldn’t pass the ball better.
Kobbie Mainoo (6/10):
Did a good job of protecting the back four.
Scott McTominay (5/10):
Hardly involved in the play and spent most of the game chasing the ball.
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Attack
Amad Diallo (6/10):
Responsible for United’s few moments of danger in the first half. Forced off injured in the second.
Rasmus Hojlund (4/10):
Ineffective. Given no room to breathe by the colossal Gabriel and got little service.
Alejandro Garnacho (6/10):
Looked like being United’s only source of a goal. Got the better of White on a few occasions but couldn’t locate the final pass or his shooting boots. Created a nice opening, only to shank the ball over.
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Subs & Manager
Antony (6/10):
Intercepted a ball and created a good chance for himself, but his shot was too soft.
Willy Kambwala (6/10):
Showed good awareness to prevent Arsenal grabbing a second on the counter. Made a bone-crunching tackle on Havertz.
Christian Eriksen (N/A):
Brought on in the 87th minute.
Ethan Wheatley (N/A):
Introduced in the 87th minute.
Omari Forson (N/A):
Brought on in the 87th minute.
Erik ten Hag (5/10):
His tactics prevented another ugly scoreline, but he has yet another defeat on his record, number 14 in the league, and his side have conceded the highest amount of goals in a season for United since 1970-71.
