It may have been a display much improved from that aberration at Crystal Palace. But when the biggest positive Manchester United can take is that they didn’t suffer another battering, Arsenal limited to just the one goal at Old Trafford, then you know things have gotten pretty bad.
This, Leandro Trossard profiting from yet more sloppiness from the surely Saudi-bound Casemiro, was the Red Devils 14th Premier League defeat in a season which has broken all the wrong records
But if we are to pick out a few positives – the phrase ‘scraping the barrel’ comes to mind – then a lively display from Amad Diallo at least gave the Manchester United supporters something to smile about. How the eternally-ineffective Antony has stayed ahead of him in the pecking order for so long, only Erik ten Hag can answer.
Sofyan Amrabat was good too, albeit surely too late in his loan spell to salvage his hopes of a long-term stay.
Alejandro Garnacho was typically lively as well, albeit without the end product he has showcased during a superb run of form in the springtime. The Argentine, one of the few players who threatened to pull a rabbit out of the hat in the absence of Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes, impressed United legend Gary Neville with his endeavour, if not his ruthlessness.
Alejandro Garnacho a positive in Manchester United defeat
“They were wasteful in the final part towards the end. Garnacho in particular, who I think was positive all game, just there was a cross that he couldn’t get in to come back out,” Neville tells Sky Sports.
“There was a shot that he tried to bend into the far corner. And then there was a cross at the end when he put in an inswinger which he overhit into Raya’s hands.”
Ian Wright, the Arsenal legend who saw his beloved Gunnersmove three giant steps closer to Premier League glory, wonders if the visitors had planned to allow Garnacho the space and time from the edge of the box, confident that they could deal with the danger.
That plan – if indeed it was the plan – nearly backfired when the former Atletico Madrid youngster curled one effort wide of the post in the second half with hearts firmly in the mouths of those watching Arsenal fans.
Arsenal legend thinks United have a ‘brilliant talent’
“We were watching Garnacho. You know the way that Mikel (Arteta, Arsenal boss) and the guys really do (their analysis). Like, they really are meticulous about their preparation in what they are doing,” Wright tells the Wrighty’s House podcast.
“It seemed very strange for me that Garnacho was going to be the one on his day, was kind of like their saviour. (The man was supposed to) change things for Manchester United. I look at Garnacho and he is a match-winner. He does great things. He is a brilliant individual.
“But his team play and appreciating the others for a one-two or play a ball is kind of like almost non-existent in what he is doing. Some of his shots that he was having and the one what he really had where he should have maybe hit the target was the one time where I think Arsenal nearly got that wrong.
“In the main, they shepherded him to places because they know he is going to try and shoot from anywhere really.”
Garnacho, while clearly still far from the finished article, has nine goals and five assists from his 47 first-team games this season. Still only 19, and with years ahead of him, the Carrington graduate at least offers United supporters some hope for a brighter future.