Arsenal and Manchester United shared the spoils on Sunday in their Premier League clash, as the Gunners lost further ground to Liverpool in the title race.
But who was too pedestrian for the Red Devils? Who in the Arsenal side rated just 5/10? And who was United’s star man?
The game ended 1-1, with Bruno Fernandes opening the scoring with an impressive free-kick amid question marks over the Arsenal wall. United went into the break ahead, but were pegged back in the second.
Having shown signs of more struggles in front of goal on the back of a 7-1 thumping of PSV in the Champions League on Tuesday, it was Declan Rice who fired in the equaliser for the second-place side.
But they couldn’t find a winner, meaning Liverpool’s lead was, over the weekend, extended to 15 points with the Gunners having a game in hand.
Mail Sport’s CHRIS WHEELER was at Old Trafford to rate the players.
Declan Rice scored an equaliser for Arsenal as they were made to settle for a 1-1 draw with Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes had opened the scoring with a fine free-kick for Ruben Amorim’s side
Mikel Arteta’s men are now 15 points behind Liverpool, but have a game in hand on the Reds
Man United
Andre Onana – Looked more comfortable at corners after conceding twice at the Emirates and made smart saves from Martinelli and Odegaard twice. 6.5
Matthijs De Ligt – The Dutchman has been in top form in recent weeks and this was another solid performance from him. 7
Victor Lindelof – Made his first start since December and looked fairly solid at the heart of United’s back-three up against Merino. 7
Leny Yoro – Struggled for much of the first half after picking up an early knock and was replaced by former Arsenal man Ayden Heaven at the break. 6
Noussari Mazraoui – Will be wondering how he failed to put United two up with a close-range volley. Beaten by Timber in the build-up to the equaliser. 5.5
Bruno Fernandes – Fantastic strike from 20-yard free-kick to put United in front, and then went agonisingly close to a winner in the dying seconds. 7
Casemiro – Caught in possession on a couple of occasions but 33-year-old put in a good shift on his second start in the space of four days. 6.5
Fernandes scored from a direct free-kick as questions were raised over Arsenal’s wall
Alejandro Garnacho was United’s main threat and it was no surprise to see him win free kick
Diogo Dalot – Had a tough job defensively but got forward to tee up Mazraoui with a brilliant cross early in the second half. 7
Alejandro Garnacho – His pace was United’s main threat and no surprise to see him win the free kick that led to the opening goal. 7
Joshua Zirkzee – Led the line after Hojlund was dropped to the bench and almost got his second goal of the week with a cheeky back flick. 6
Christian Eriksen – Returned to the line-up in an advanced role but too pedestrian and short on creativity. Replaced by Collyer. 5
Subs: Hojlund (for Zirkzee 76, 5), Heaven (for Yoro 46, 6.5),Collyer (for Eriksen 76, 6).
Arsenal
David Raya – Two outstanding stops from Mazraoui and Zirkzee, then made an incredible double save from Fernandes’ effort in injury-time. 8
Jurrien Timber – Excellent run down the Arsenal right to set up Rice for the equaliser just as it looked like United might hold on. 7
David Raya pulled off two outstanding stops from Nasser Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee in tie
William Saliba – The Frenchman’s composure was needed as United threatened to hit the Gunners on the break several times. 6.5
Gabriel Magalhaes – Didn’t have too much to do but was switched on right at the end to deny Hojlund with a wonderfully timed tackle. 6.5
Riccardo Calafiori – Returned at full back but had his hands full with Garnacho and no surprise when he was replaced by Lewis-Skelly before the hour mark. 5
Martin Odegaard – Pulling the strings for Arsenal right from the start and had one decent effort tipped over the bar by Onana. 7
Thomas Partey – Rarely put a foot wrong but was replaced by left-back Tierney as Arteta made a peculiar attempt to go for the win. 6.5
Declan Rice – Fantastic strike to bring Arsenal level and then made an excellent interception tackle on Hojlund to deny United a late winner. 7
Ethan Nwaneri – Teenager looked full of tricks and confidence but he was sacrificed early in the second half to make way for Martinell’s return. 6.5
Mikel Merino – Drilled early chance wide from great position and almost gifted United a winner after dropping deep later in the game. 5.5
Rice was impressive in Arsenal’s midfield, with a fantastic strike then fine tackle to prevent Rasmus Hojlund netting the winner
Mikel Merino almost cost his side late on and again struggled in the centre forward position
Leandro Trossard – Fired wide from 20 yards early on and was booked for the foul on Garnacho that gave Fernandes the chance to put United ahead. 6
Subs: Tierney (for Partey 76, 6), Martinelli (for Nwaneri 58, 6), Lewis-Skelly (for Calafiori 58, 6.5)
