MANCHESTER UNITED’S miserable record against the so-called ‘Big Six’ continued with the goalless draw at Arsenal on Saturday night.
The Red Devils have managed just one goal in six Premier League games against some of their major rivals – and even that was in the 6-1 defeat to Tottenham.
That was their first ‘Big Six’ meeting of the season, on October 4.
Bruno Fernandes actually put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men in front after just two minutes at Old Trafford that afternoon.
But Harry Kane and Son Heung-min ran riot as Jose Mourinho trumped his former employers.
Three weeks later, Chelsea headed to the Theatre of Dreams and got a 0-0, the first of four goalless contests involving United against the top clubs this season.
The last goal United shipped against one of the ‘Big Six’ was when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converted his penalty at Old Trafford in Arsenal’s 1-0 win on November 1.
Solskjaer’s men then played out drab stalemates against rivals Manchester City on December 12 and Liverpool on January 17.
And they completed a hat-trick of 0-0s on Saturday evening at the Emirates, which broke the record for their longest unbeaten away run in the top flight with 18.
Alexandre Lacazette hit the crossbar and Willian squandered a glorious chance for the hosts while Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes both should have scored for United.
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It means in the six matches against the traditional ‘Big Six’ this term, United have scored one, conceded seven and taken four points from a possible 18.
On top of that, their last open-play goal came way back on March 8 when Scott McTominay wrapped up the Manchester derby in injury time.
Their next clash against one of those sides is when they travel to Chelsea on February 28 followed by a trip across town to the Etihad a week later.
However, United did draw 2-2 at Leicester and beat West Ham, Everton and Aston Villa, who are all ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal in the table, as well as Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Club-legend Roy Keane blasted his former side for their performance at Arsenal, accusing the players of ‘lacking the belief and desire’ to win the game.
Imagine playing for United and having a lack of belief that you can go and in a game of football.
Roy Keane
He said on Sky Sports: “I’m scratching my head with United really.
“My worry watching them today was that they almost lacked the belief that they could go and win the game.
“It’s Man United. You’re looking at Arsenal who are missing a few players – I know that doesn’t guarantee you to win football matches – but the game was there for the taking.
“Imagine playing for United and having a lack of belief that you can go and in a game of football.
“Cavani’s obviously got to score, but overall their performance just lacked that intensity.”
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Edinson Cavani went closest to breaking the deadlock for United at the EmiratesCredit: AFP
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he thinks it was a 50-50 game as Man Utd draw with Arsenal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
