Manchester United were always up against it versus Arsenal, playing amid a severe defensive injury crisis.
Confusion in defence led to the game’s opening goal, when Casemiro was late getting up the pitch after Manchester United played out from the back.
He ended up playing Kai Havertz offside, who provided the assist for Leandro Trossard to score for Arsenal.
United persisted trying to play out from the back, such is the team’s philosophy, but Erik ten Hag was keen for the team to do so more effectively.
Erik ten Hag left frustrated
Manager Erik ten Hag is under pressure amid the team’s poor run of results and he was seen expressing his frustration during Manchester United’s game against Arsenal.
Sky Sports News’ Melissa Reddyreported on one moment at Old Trafford at the end of the first half, where he blasted one group of Manchester United players.
She reported: “Erik ten Hag dropped almost to his knees and let off a huge moan of frustration a few minutes ago, audible all the way up in the press box, at United just aimlessly ceding possession from goal kicks.
“He’s shouted at Onana and the backline to use their heads.”
United had begun the game brightly, before a shaky spell where Arsenal scored their goal.
Then towards the end of the second half, United dominated possession but could not manufacture this into creating chances.
Andre Onana keen to be involved
Goalkeeper Andre Onana wants to get touches of the ball and help United to play out from the back, however, this becomes more difficult when the backline in front of him is consistently changing.
The partnership of Jonny Evans and Casemiro was United’s 14th difference centre-back partnership of the season. Arsenal by contrast have used only three.
With this in mind, it would make sense to pull back on possession football from the back and play a bit safer with route-one style methods.
The very poor opening goal conceded highlighted that this would have been a far safer approach.
In the second half United were a little more direct, while Onana will have impressed for all the right reasons.
The former Inter stopper made two excellent one-handed diving saves to prevent Arsenal doubling their lead.