Image Source : GETTY IMAGES To make issues worse for Solskjaer’s facet, Manchester City on Saturday was capable of do what United could not on Wednesday — beat backside facet Sheffield United.
Manchester United misplaced important floor within the title race after drawing 0-0 in opposition to Arsenal within the Premier League on Saturday.
United had a string of clear probabilities all through the match, however the guests couldn’t convert and seize the three factors. Instead, the Red Devils dropped two and remained in second place with 41 factors, three behind rival Manchester City — which has a recreation in hand — on the high.
And to make issues worse, City on Saturday was capable of do what United could not on Wednesday — beat backside facet Sheffield United.
But United supervisor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wasn’t centered simply but on the combat to win the league.
“We don’t think about the title race or the title now,” he said. “We’re in January.”
Arsenal prolonged its unbeaten run to seven matches and remained ninth with 31 factors.
“I thought it was a fair result,” Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta mentioned. “I think both managers think we should have won it.”
Solskjaer made 5 modifications after the Sheffield United defeat and his crew had the majority of probabilities within the first half, with Fred’s shot from the sting of the realm drawing a fingertip save from Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno within the twentieth.
When central midfielder Scott McTominay got here off with abdomen cramps within the first half, the United supervisor made a constructive substitution, bringing on ahead Anthony Martial to attempt to deliver the sport to Arsenal.
“I felt we had the upper hand,” Solskjaer mentioned. “And we wanted to get on the ball more.”
There was one massive constructive for the United supervisor as his crew set a membership report 18 away video games unbeaten within the high tier.
“It’s like an NBA season — touring on the highway once more,” he mentioned.
Midfielder Bruno Fernandes got here shut just a few instances, together with a free kick simply outdoors the realm earlier than halftime. The ball appeared like it could narrowly clear the wall however Luiz headed the ball backward and over the crossbar. The Brazilian celebrated the clearance by pumping his fists within the air.
The guests had different probabilities, however poor ending and good defending by Arsenal stymied United, together with an important clearance by Gabriel Martinelli within the twenty ninth to move the ball out earlier than it reached Marcus Rashford within the space.
Arsenal additionally had probabilities, with Alexandre Lacazette unleashing a 25-yard swerving shot within the seventeenth, nevertheless it was proper at goalkeeper David de Gea.
Willian got here on for Martinelli initially of the second half, and had a transparent probability to attain within the forty ninth when a cross from Hector Bellerin discovered him on the far put up. But he hesitated earlier than capturing and Aaron Wan-Bissaka was capable of block his shot. Moments later, Willian lower the ball again for Nicolas Pepe, who appeared sure to attain. But Wan-Bissaka once more made an important block.
Edinson Cavani had probabilities to supply a winner and practically scored within the 59th, however Arsenal left again Cedric Soares did sufficient to divert the ball away for a nook.
Lacazette hit the crossbar within the sixty fifth from a free kick after the ahead was introduced down simply outdoors the realm by United captain Harry Maguire. A minute later, Emile Smith Rowe compelled a low save from de Gea on the close to put up with a robust shot.
Arsenal was lacking three key gamers, together with captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who’s coping with household points, winger Bukayo Saka (sore hip) and left again Kieran Tierney (proper calf).
Aubameyang has reportedly been given day without work to assist look after his mom, who’s sick, and it is unclear when he will likely be accessible for choice once more.
Arteta mentioned Aubameyang is now in quarantine, however he declined to present additional particulars, together with when requested if Arsenal’s captain had traveled overseas. The supervisor mentioned the membership was working with the Premier League and the British authorities to attempt to resolve the scenario.
