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Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal: Takeaways

By Jack Williams

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Credit: @ManUtd

In what could well have been David De Gea’s last home game for Manchester United, the result was 1-1 and not only did De Gea miss out on a win, but also missed out on the full 90 minutes due to limping off late on in the second half. The result puts Arsenal two points clear of Manchester United in second place with a game in hand.

As ever, let’s take a look at the games talking points.

1) Good Game, Relaxed Rivalry?

After having so many battles over the years, the Manchester United-Arsenal rivalry appears, arguably, to have cooled a little. Whether it was because the season was at an end or that simply the occasion didn’t seem as important as it used to be, the game was distinctly average and did not feel like a special clash at all.

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Some parts of the game were great, Manchester United had some great waves of attack, and one of the standout performers on the field, again, was Ashley Young. He was a cut above the rest and marauded the Arsenal flanks with mazy runs and tricky feet, providing numerous chances and set up the goal. Arsenal did show some of their signature counter-attacking threat but like their last game against Swansea, it was not all there. Aaron Ramsey was by far their best player, proving a stern test for the United team to deal with, especially his long ball in that eventually deflected off Blackett to deny Theo Walcott his goal and name of the scoresheet.

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Also worthy of a mention was Daley Blind who bossed the midfield, helping keep things going forward as much as he could. That enabled more sublime play from everybody’s favourite Spanish duo Ander Herrera and Juan Mata who of course got the goal with the help of Ashley Young.

But the game did not have the air of awe that it should have, and maybe the departure of Sir Alex has cooled the rivalry down a little. There could be plenty of reasons why and some argue nothing has changed. True, maybe nothing has, maybe this was a one-off? It just didn’t feel right this time round.

2) Captain Chris

Perhaps the most eyebrow raising moment of the game came before it had even kicked off. The Manchester United team-sheet was not mistaken, Chris Smalling was indeed captain. In the absence of Rooney, Smalling was given the responsibility that comes with the captains armband. He stepped up to the plate.

Smalling did not seem fazed by the role, and showed just how much he has progressed since that sending off against City, with great credit going to Louis van Gaal for sticking with him and making him a better player. It also helps England too, playing alongside Phil Jones keeps a consistency that is a factor in international games for any side.

He certainly played better than Blackett, who showed why unlike McNair, he is not ready for the big time yet. A loan move next season should do the trick. Jones was at fault for a defensive mix up with De Gea that was luckily sorted before anything bad came of it, but Smalling did his best to keep the back-line sharp for the 90 minutes.

Hopefully Smalling enjoyed the experience and it will help keep pushing him to improve and succeed, being the first choice centre-back for many years to come. And who knows, maybe the successor to Rooney as the captain?

3) Departing Dave? (and Farewell to Falcao too?)

Even with Steven Gerrard’s departure from Anfield taking the headlines, there was another departure perhaps in store. Having undergone a whole season’s worth of speculation, David De Gea looks increasingly likely to sign for Real Madrid in his home-city. He received a standing ovation when he left the pitch with an injury, and although it was not the way he would have wanted to leave the Theatre of Dreams, he did so with the adoration of the home crowd regardless. The man chosen to succeed the legendary Edwin van der Sar, has become another legendary goalkeeper for the club.

The injury meant a much belated debut for Victor Valdes, who marked his first game for the first team with some dodgy goalkicks and conceding a speculative Ramsey shot that deflected off Blackett and past Valdes who got his positioning wrong. Not the best of games to start your career with your new club. It also raises questions about his ability to take the gloves from De Gea. Is he past it? Or was it a one off?

While De Gea’s time at the club will be remembered fondly, another departure’s time will not be. Alas, perennial slip-up (quite literally in this game, he slipped on the turf too many times to count) Radamel Falcao waved goodbye to the fans when he was substituted on the hour mark to a quite generous applause. He was in the starting lineup due to an injury for Wayne Rooney, and was expected to put a real shift in against a talented yet not quite on top form Arsenal side. He tried, sort of, but did not succeed. Which is sad, and I hope he finds success elsewhere.

Other Takes

– What a bit of skill from Phil Jones, running yet almost swimming in the air and then getting the ball from Giroud by using his head like his foot! Tekkers. He clearly meant to do that.

– Robin van Persie was practically invisible in that second-half, save for when he was offside. Could he be on the list of those leaving Old Trafford in the summer?

– Short and simple end of season speech from the manager at the end of the game. Bring on next season.

Next: Is Louis van Gaal prepared for life without De Gea?

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