A cruel deflection handed Arsenal a late goal and an equaliser at Old Trafford on Sunday, as United ended the home campaign with a 1-1 draw.
The Reds dominated the first half and went into the break 1-0 up courtesy of a stunning Ander Herrera strike. Louis van Gaal’s side were no less impressive for long periods after the interval, too, and will feel aggrieved that Theo Walcott’s deflected cross on 82 minutes ended up in the back of the net.
Still, the way United controlled the game will have pleased the manager and is further proof that this squad has what it takes to compete with the best sides around. An injury to David De Gea, which forced the goalkeeper off just before Arsenal scored, was less pleasing.
The boss was forced into two changes from the side that beat Crystal Palace last weekend, with Radamel Falcao and Marcos Rojo coming in for the injured Wayne Rooney and Luke Shaw. In Rooney’s absence, Chris Smalling wore the armband for the first time and the central defender looked composed from the first whistle.
