Football Features

    Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal: Full player ratings as young stars shine on miserable night

    By Harry Edwards

    Published: 22:07, 30 September 2019

    Manchester United and Arsenal both failed to inspire with a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on a miserable Monday night.

    Scott McTominay opened the scoring just before half-time but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalised midway through the second half to earn his side a share of the points.

    So, how did the players rate?

    Manchester United

    David de Gea – 6 – Had very little to do in the game but did produce a good double save just before half-time, which proved vital. Couldn’t stop Aubameyang’s equaliser.

    Axel Tuanzebe – 8 – Defended very well, ensuring Arsenal had little to no luck down his flank. Let himself down slightly after half-time, playing a poor pass to Lindelof which was intercepted by Saka for Aubameyang’s goal, but it should not overshadow his performance.

    Victor Lindelof – 7 – Had a good game. Some questions may be asked of his involvement in Aubameyang’s equaliser, but Tuanzebe’s pass was out of his reach. Produced a good block on Saka’s shot moments later.

    Harry Maguire – 7 – The English centre-back had a good game, keeping Arsenal’s attack quiet for the large part. He may just some criticism for his position in playing Aubameyang onside, but he was where he needed to be before the ball was given away.

    Ashley Young – 5 – Looked off the pace for most of the match and was perhaps fortunate not to have been sent off for two yellow cards in the first half – a first foul going unnoticed. Poor in attack too, with some bad crossing attempts.

    Scott McTominay – 7 – Lit up a drab first half with a good goal from just outside the area. Should have added to it midway through the second half with a free header, but he sent his effort way over the bar. A really good display, helping United to control the midfield.

    Andreas Pereira – 6 – Had the game’s first shot just before the 30 minute mark following a good run, but could have tested Leno more with his effort. Taken off with United looking to try something different.

    Jesse Lingard – 3 – Another poor game for the English midfielder against a team he usually enjoys playing.

    Paul Pogba – 7 – Bossed the midfield for United in the first half but his influence waned slightly after half-time. Still looked to cause some problems with good passing, but his attacking teammates were not up to scratch.

    Daniel James – 7 – Got at Chambers quite a lot in the first half, looking to exploit the defender with his pace. Slightly quietened down after half time but was still a hassle when he wanted to be.

    Marcus Rashford – 6 – Looked a step off the pace at times. Credited with an assist for McTominay’s goal, but his involvement was minimal. Had his best chance in injury time, but his free-kick was well met by Leno.

    Substitutes:

    Fred (for Lingard 74) – 5 – Did not add to much after coming on.

    Mason Greenwood (for Pereira 74) – 5 – Couldn’t get a finishing touch as United’s attack continued to struggle.

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    Arsenal

    Bernd Leno – 7 – Couldn’t do anything to stop McTominay’s goal, in an otherwise quiet first half. Saved well from Maguire in the second half and again from Rashford in injury time.

    Calum Chambers – 4 – Struggled defensively up against James, with the United winger constantly running at him. A slight reality check after his hat-trick of assists against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup.

    Sokratis – 4 – Should have done better to close McTominay down for the Scotsman’s goal. Then went down to one knee as McTominay shot, allowing the effort to deflect off him when other defenders would have thrown themselves in front of the ball to stop it completely.

    David Luiz – 5 – A typical Luiz performance, with good and bad parts. Looked shaky in defence at times and had his better moments when on the ball, most memorably sending two decent crosses into the United box in the first half.

    Sead Kolasinac – 5 – Neither a good nor bad evening for the Bosnian, with the game almost passing him by at times. Was perhaps fortunate not to have been penalised for a handball in the second half.

    Granit Xhaka – 3 – A really poor game in his first league outing as Arsenal’s official captain. Wasn’t on the same wavelength as his team-mates as shown with a shocking free-kick attempt midway through the first half.

    Matteo Guendouzi – 8 – Seemed to be the only Arsenal midfielder up for the Old Trafford challenge and spent most of the game having to do the job of three men. Seemed to be targeted by United’s players quite a lot.

    Lucas Torreira – 4 – Looked lost in the first half and was taken off when Arsenal needed creativity, though appeared to be playing in a more advanced role than he would be comfortable in.

    Bukayo Saka – 8 – Arsenal’s brightest attacking player in the first half, everything positive they did appeared to come through the English teenager. Was quick to react to a misplaced pass, playing in Aubameyang for the equaliser and could have put Arsenal ahead, but saw his chance from close range deflected over.

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 7 – A decent first half, but was just lacking something. Was the man to step up half half-time to equalise, with VAR overturning a shocking offside decision.

    Nicolas Pepe – 4 – Arsenal’s record signing had a poor game summed up when he squandered a good crossing opportunity from a free-kick in the first half. Had Arsenal’s first shot of the game, but it was tame and too easy for De Gea.

    Substitutes:

    Dani Ceballos (for Torreira 55) – 6 – Helped Arsenal step up upon his arrival, with the Gunners actually looking like causing some trouble.

    Reiss Nelson (for Pepe 74) – 5 – Had the chance to win the game for Arsenal but his effort was scuffed.

    Joseph Willock (for Saka 80) – 5 – Did not have long enough to make too much of an impact.

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