Arsenal had the upper hand for much of the first half at Old Trafford but failed to turn possession into clear-cut opportunities. Their inability to capitalize proved costly when Manchester United took the lead in stoppage time. Bruno Fernandes, leading by example as captain, curled a precise 25-yard free-kick beyond an out-of-position David Raya, leaving the visitors trailing at the break.
After the restart, Raya redeemed himself with key stops to deny Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee as United grew into the contest. Arsenal, still searching for an equalizer, finally found a breakthrough with 16 minutes remaining. A loose ball in the area was met by Declan Rice, who unleashed a powerful drive past Andre Onana, silencing the Stretford End and securing a point for the visitors.
Liverpool Remain Unchallenged at the Top
Despite Rice’s late heroics, Arsenal’s hopes of catching league leaders Liverpool suffered another setback. The draw left Mikel Arteta’s side 15 points behind Jurgen Klopp’s team, who have played one more match but remain firmly in control of the title race. While Arsenal salvaged something from their trip to Manchester, the result did little to change the landscape at the top of the table.
For United, the outcome could have been even better. In the dying moments, Fernandes nearly snatched a winner, only to see his close-range effort miraculously denied by Raya, who scrambled across his goal to prevent a last-gasp defeat for Arsenal.
Fernandes Stands Out in United’s Struggles
Manchester United’s inconsistent form was evident once again, as they struggled to impose themselves in the first half before improving after the interval. Fernandes remained their standout performer, providing leadership and attacking quality when it mattered most. His expertly taken free-kick gave United an advantage they were unable to hold, and he came close to deciding the match in the final seconds.
The Portuguese midfielder remains the club’s top scorer in the Premier League with seven goals and leads in combined goals and assists with 14. As United continue to navigate a difficult campaign under head coach Ruben Amorim, Fernandes has been a rare bright spot. Though the draw lifted United to 14th place, their league position reflects the ongoing challenges they face in re-establishing themselves among England’s elite.
