Manchester United display courage against the odds but Ruben Amorim should have been braver with his changes | OneFootball

Manchester United produced a brave display at Old Trafford against Arsenal despite the large number of injury absentees, clinching a point thanks to a 1-1 draw in their Premier League game on Sunday.

In fact, the home side will be bitterly disappointed that they did not claim all three points, considering the number of chances they created in the second half.

Ruben Amorim had said prior to the game that his team needed to survive against the Gunners and they were forced to play with their backs to goal for most of the first half.

A moment of magic from Bruno Fernandes handed them the lead before half-time and they should have made matters sure in the second 45 minutes with Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee denied by great saves from David Raya.

Huge chances spurned

Even after the visitors equalised, the Red Devils still had three glorious chances to win it at the death with substitute Rasmus Hojlund spurning a couple of gilt-edged chances while Raya produced a stunning stoppage time save to ensure a point apiece for both sides.

United have often stepped up when it has come to the big sides this season and that was once again the case against the team from North London.

Alejandro Garnacho and Noussair Mazraoui were a constant thorn for the Arsenal backline and the only thing missing was some bravery from the head coach himself.

He should have changed things earlier with a few players looking dead on their feet as the game progressed and Declan Rice’s equaliser came as a result of some tired legs.

And when Amorim did decide to freshen things up in the 76th minute, instead of Hojlund he should have brought on Chido Obi, who must have been champing at the bit to prove himself against his former team.

Ayden Heaven, who was forced to come on due to Leny Yoro’s injury, showed what a youngster with a point to prove can do in such a game and the 17-year-old would have done better for both chances.

Chido should have been brought on

Instead, the 22-year-old wasted two glorious chances with the first one being the easiest of the lot. The ball fell to him on the edge of the box and he only had the goalkeeper to beat.

He dilly-dallied and that allowed the Arsenal defence to clear. The ex-Atalanta starlet did not want the ball to fall to him and looks absolutely devoid of any confidence.

Now without a goal in 20 games, Amorim has no choice but to play him against Real Sociedad in midweek but why not take a risk with the Academy sensation?

United remain 14th in the league table as focus shifts to a season-defining fixture. Can the team take confidence from such a brave showing and translate it into a memorable result on Thursday? Only time will tell.

Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images

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