This archive report was first published on 1 October 2019.
Manchester United and Arsenal played to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Monday, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's second-half goal cancelling out Scott McTominay's stunning strike.
McTominay's goal, which came in the first half, was a rare moment of quality in a poor first 45 minutes. The Scotland international smashed the ball into the top corner after Daniel James led a counter-attack from one end of the field to the other.
However, United's lead was short-lived as Aubameyang's goal, which was awarded by VAR, denied Manchester United a much-needed win to kick-start their season. Aubameyang had been flagged offside initially, but replays showed he was clearly played onside by Harry Maguire.
The draw means United have now won just two of their last 12 Premier League games, dating back to last season, and sit 12 points adrift of leaders Liverpool just seven games into the campaign.
For many years, the clashes between Manchester United and Arsenal were the Premier League's marquee fixtures. The two teams were the champions of England for nine consecutive seasons between 1996 and 2004.
However, the fact that neither team is in Champions League action later this week was reflected in a first 45 minutes devoid of quality. It took 28 minutes for either goalkeeper to be tested, with Bernd Leno saving well low to his left to deny Andreas Pereira after a solo run.
United have not scored more than one goal in any match since the opening day of the season, and even against an Arsenal defence that had conceded nine goals in their last four league games, looked toothless when not afforded space to counter-attack into.
Leno produced a fine save to turn a pile driver from Maguire over as the world's most expensive defender tried to atone for his earlier error. The German goalkeeper's best save of the evening came at the death as he flew to his left to turn Marcus Rashford's powerful free-kick to safety.
