To sum up the past 90 mins...

To be fair we created two good chances for RVP (not including the Arteta mistake after 3 mins) and restricted Arsenal to one decent chance in the whole game, at the Emirates.

It was a solid defensive display at a tough ground and we controlled most of the game, just needed more from Valencia and then Januzaj when he came on.

All the talk of crosses and one dimensional play against Fulham at the weekend, I actually thought it was the defending that cost us three points then., much more solid tonight.

bruceandpally, exactly my thoughts. I actually thought we did well today. After dropping 2 points in the last game, you'd expect the team to be careful in the last 5 minutes. Not exciting result but it's something to build on.

We controlled most of the game
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You're having a laugh.

comment by Samir. (U2630)
posted 46 minutes ago
We controlled most of the game
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You're having a laugh.
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Nope, Arsenal tippy tapped it around as they do but our game plan worked better than theirs.

There wasn't significant passages of play during the game were I thought that we were in trouble and Arsenal were going to score,we created the better chances from open play as well

''our game plan worked better than theirs.''

You got a point from a game where you needed to win (both sides needed to tbh) and you are 11 points behind 4th spot. Yep, great game plan there

'',we created the better chances from open play as well ''

Apart from the Arteta mistake in the opening exchanges and the wondersave from Szczesny, you created nothing and did nothing with the ball. We were better than you in general play, had the clearer chances and if we had a centre forward that was actually half-decent, we would have won. But we didn't and we both have a share of the spoils.

comment by Samir. (U2630)
posted 7 minutes ago
''our game plan worked better than theirs.''

You got a point from a game where you needed to win (both sides needed to tbh) and you are 11 points behind 4th spot. Yep, great game plan there

'',we created the better chances from open play as well ''

Apart from the Arteta mistake in the opening exchanges and the wondersave from Szczesny, you created nothing and did nothing with the ball. We were better than you in general play, had the clearer chances and if we had a centre forward that was actually half-decent, we would have won. But we didn't and we both have a share of the spoils.
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You had a couple of headers from corners, and a forced De Gea into a decent save, that was it. You were at home and supposed to be going for the title but United looked very, very comfortable.

The Arteta mistake came from hm being pressed high up the pitch by United, which was clearly the game plan in the first half, RVP should have done better with his chance that nearly hit the corner flag, and then there was the great save from Szczesny.

Why did United HAVE to win? to make up ground on 6th place Everton? the league went months ago and the general consensus is that we're out of the running for top 4, after the Fulham game a 0-0 away at Arsenal and a solid defensive display wasn't to bad, Arsenal are the one's going for the title and you could break down a poor United team.

Arsenal were better? you passed it around and rarely (if at all) got in behind, you're the home team and you had three decent attempts on goal, two of them from corners that were slung into the box.

The fact that you're own supporters booed the team off would tell you something as to how the crowd thought game went.

'' United looked very, very comfortable.''

For the most part, yes. But there was instances where if we had a striker of the quality you guys had, we would have won IMO. Both of Giroud's misses at this level are unforgivable and I'd argue the one he missed in the second half was easier than the one Robin missed in the opening of the game. All Giroud needed was a touch and he didn't time his run properly and wasn't aggressive enough to get the ball first. We still put you under the cosh on occasion and had most of the ball. We were pretty comfortable too though for most of the game.

As for why United needed to win, to get into the mix for the top 4. Just because the general consensus is you're out, doesn't mean the players should have the same attitude. Both sides displayed a lack of confidence and lack of desire to win the game and unfortunately, both seemed happy with a point.

Arsenal were better in general play IMO, that doesn't mean we played well, as both sides were crap, but I did feel we were marginally better. Again, lacking penetration and productivity in the final third as per usual in the big games, although having a useless French lump up front doesn't help.

We booed because ultimately it was a spineless performance from a team who should have beaten a side that were there for the taking. We expected more and the players didn't perform.

Let's agree to disagree about how tonight's game went, both teams are a poor imitation of the sides that won league titles in the 90's and 00's anyway.

The players probably believe that they can still make the top 4 but the team have just be too inconsistent.

If we were only chasing down Liverpool then maybe it could be done but your old friends Spurs are also in the running as well.

We'd need both of them to suffer a poor run of form and for our play to increase dramatically, I don't see all three happening.

If Liverpool falter then Spurs will pounce, if they both falter United still won't be consistent enough to take advantage IMO.

Fair enough. I still think with Januzaj, Mata, Rooney and van Persie, in those 4, you have enough attacking quality to get into the top 4, but your tactics and confidence don't seem to be there. It's just bewildering how a team who won the league with ease last season now look unlikely to be a Champions League side when the only difference in the managerial change. I realise that is a big change and it is a transitional period, but 7th at this stage, and 11 points off top spot with 12 games left is nowhere near good enough for a side who won the league at a canter last year.