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22/1/2023 | 08:15pm
Manchester United lastly fell to a Premier League loss after a outstanding purple patch that noticed the membership go undefeated for ten matches, with Arsenal victorious on the Emirates Stadium after a totally fascinating affair.
Shedding 3-2 on the afternoon, Purple Devils boss Erik ten Hag would do properly to take the positives after pushing the high-flying table-toppers to the restrict, placing twice via the in-form Marcus Rashford’s marvellous effort and Lisandro Martinez’s first objective for the membership since his £56.7m summer season arrival.
United can take solace from the truth that the well-oiled, fluid and high-octane machine that powers the membership at current bears no semblance to the rusty and wayward outfit that struggled for type final season, lacking out on Champions League soccer with a sixth-place end within the English top-flight.
United fought valiantly, however might be disillusioned with the best way that the Gunners dictated the move of the lion-share of the encounter; the house aspect held 58% of the possession and unleashed a outstanding 25 pictures to United’s six – though Arsenal’s 5 pictures on track had been solely barely larger than the away aspect’s 4.
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The defeat does stretch Mikel Arteta’s outfit 11 factors away from their rivals, and with a recreation in hand, and whereas goalkeeper David De Gea was largely at fault after transport three targets and making simply two saves, Man United left-back Luke Shaw will maintain himself accountable for the damaging end result after a show that left little to be admired.
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Recording a median match ranking of 6.8, as per Sofascore, the previous Southampton defender was given a torrid time by the wizardry of Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who scored an excellent objective from Shaw’s left-side and produced an all-encompassing show for his victorious outfit, clinching a match-best ranking of 8.1.
Shaw misplaced possession 17 instances and picked up a yellow card as he haplessly fought to include his flourishing foe, and was remarked to have been “destroyed” out broad by outstanding fan author Hesham Bilal-Hafiz.
Solely profitable three of his eight floor duels – versus Saka’s six profitable take-ons from eight makes an attempt – the £170k-per-week ace was run ragged, additionally failing to successfully contribute offensively having failed in his solitary dribble try and lacking the mark with all 5 of his tried crosses.
Though Shaw has impressed beneath Ten Hag’s tutelage this season, he might want to swallow the bitter tablet of defeat and analyse his shortcomings, with United nonetheless combating for main honours throughout each potential entrance this season.
Ten Hag will take to take the reins and galvanise his squad, who will undoubtedly be nursing their wounds following a fixture that would have put the membership firmly in title rivalry had the late objective fallen to a Purple Satan.
Nonetheless, with loads of soccer nonetheless to return, together with the forthcoming FA Cup tie towards second-tier aspect Studying, a return to profitable methods is paramount to make sure the setback doesn’t form the upcoming interval for a membership undeniably on the rise.