The choir was about winning the league at Old Trafford. Not, it happened, the latest manifestation of Manchester United’s project 150, but vocal vocal fans dating back to 2002. In 2025, however, it became clearer at Old Trafford that Gunners will not win the league and why. With a 15-point deficit, only Arsenal himself and Arne Castle cannot admit it is over, a race with a horse after they were held by a one-man team. Bruno Fernandes gave United something they have often lacked at home this season – pride – and Arsenal the familiar sense of disappointment.
“You are obliged to win every single match if you want a chance,” said a gloomy face Mikel Arteta. His lasting feeling was “frustration”. For many years, a point at Old Trafford represented an achievement. Now it’s a disappointment. Arsenal broke the Champions League records by scoring seven away at PSV Eindhoven, but their last three league matches have given a lonely goal and only two points. Neither tally is enough.
It felt poor comfort that it could have been worse. David Raya was perhaps guilty and rescuer; He may have done better for Fernande’s opener, but he did excellently to refuse United Captain a winner of the injury time that jumped up at his feet after a first rescue to itch the ball back as it threatened to turn across the line. The spanish had already had two redeeming moments in quick order, making great savings from Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee, the latter trying a bold Backheel flick. “The reality is that David saved us,” Arteta added.
But maybe it was an indication of how far United have fallen, that the result felt better for them. It was just their seventh point in their last eight Home League matches; When the others came against the doomed duo of Southampton and Ipswich, it ranks as their best result at Old Trafford during that time. And it should be part of the regret of Arsenal: Many another page can win here now. They couldn’t.
They began to look dominant and yet strived on the trail. “The first half we had, where we were unusual, we did not test the keeper,” Arteta complained. “We had some incredible situations, but we didn’t get the last shot or last pass.” In contrast, United’s performance in the first half was devoid of positivity and creativity, but they nevertheless led with the permission of Fernande’s whipped free kick. For Arsenal, the irritation was aggravated by the fact that the defensive wall was 11.2 meters left. “Football is for Smart Street players. Bruno was more wise than us and the judge, ”Rued Arteta.
Nevertheless, the execution was a further reminder of the Portuguese’s ability to arouse United from mediocrity. Roy Keane may give the impression that United would feel better without Fernandes, but a counter -counter is in an army of one.
“He pulls up all the time,” Amorim said. “What I can say is that we need more Brunos, it’s clear. He is a very good example for the other players. “There have been times in recent weeks when it has felt as if Fernandes has been trying to ward off the decline and forever fighting for a losing fight. This time it was at least a drawing match. A strange also with a forgetful first half and an eventful second.
In the end, the teams had a talisman piece. Declan Rice curled in a shot after Jurrien Timber’s display of trickery on the right flank. Rice’s first Arsenal goal came towards United. His latest, like Fernande’s free kick, showed inspiring properties. Rice had continued where he escaped in Eindhoven, prominent in the last third from the start, but he also spelled a wonderful recovery clothing at Rasmus Hojlund and got parties from Arsenal midfielder. The temptation is to call it goal -saving, but since the Danish has not scored in 20 games, it may not be. Gabriel Magalhaes also intervened to deny him a winner.
For Hojlund, there was also a sense of how far he had fallen. United were without 11 players, in total that reached a dozen when Leny Yoro went out in half time and parachute Rookie Ayden sky against her old club. Hojlund was the lonely senior presence on the bench, omitted from a heading side. United’s strategy as it is is too Fernandes to save them. At least Ruben Amorim had the comfort that a provisional crew tried.
And a draw continued a theme. Some of the Portuguese finest results have come as United have been complete sub -dogs: In Arsenal in the FA Cup, in Liverpool, in Manchester City. “Maybe in these games it is more acceptable to play in the low block,” Amorim said. “The spirit to follow the plan is a good thing, but in the future I will play another football, more attacking.” Instead, United had only 31.2 percent of the possession. But the supporters, whose afternoon began with anti-glaze protests, stood together for their case. “This club will never die, it’s clear,” Amorim added. “You feel it on the streets.”
On the field, however, they can fight. But they were discharged by Arsenal’s impotence. Mikel Merino shot early. Other masturbation saved from replacement Gabriel Martinelli. Arsenal nevertheless couldn’t do anything Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Newcastle, Brighton and Crystal Palace had done. Wind at Old Trafford. And this year they will still do nothing the team in 2002 did: The Win League.