Soccer

CASEMIRO and Joshua Zirkzee are stealing Bruno Fernandes’ thunder after his stunning free kick opened the scoring against Arsenal.The pair have been credited with some clever positioning, blocking David Raya’s view of Fernandes’ shot.Raya left a clear gap in the wall before the free kick was taken…Credit: Sky…but Zirkzee and Casemiro filled it at the crucial momentCredit: SkyThe goal follows controversy surrounding where referee Anthony Taylor set the wall – 11.2 yards from where the kick was taken, rather than the ten yards that the rules stipulate.This gave Fernandes more chance of getting his shot up and over the wall.And Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said: “I want to explain why I think this is so hard to stop. First you have to give credit to the striker of the ball, then I want to look at Zirkzee and Casemiro.Read more football”What they do really clever [is]…”The keeper [Raya] has just got a nice gap and that’s exactly what you want because then you might be able to get a look at it as he’s struck it.”But as he gets to the ball, just watch what Casemiro and Zirkzee do. They take Thomas Partey across.”All of a sudden that gap is gone, so the next time that he’s [Raya] going to see the ball is just after it’s gone over the wall.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”Now you have absolutely no chance by then, with that trajectory and that top spin that he’s [Fernandes] got on it, of getting anywhere near it.”That’s why it’s quite smart from whoever has devised that free kick.”How Bruno Fernandes’ ‘Steven Gerrard syndrome’ spoils Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd systemThe goal was a crucial one, coming at the end of a half where United had been on the back foot.Arsenal made amends, though, clawing an equaliser back through Declan Rice in the second half.The set piece marks Fernandes’ second free kick goal in his last three appearances.And United employed similar antics for his goal at Everton two weeks ago, with Zirkzee and Harry Maguire positioning themselves very intentionally to block Jordan Pickford’s view.The England number one was rooted to the spot as the shot hit the bottom right corner.Before this run of goals, Fernandes had scored just one free kick in his previous 183 Premier League appearances.Ruben Amorim may not have made much of an impact in the results column, but he does at least have set piece routines on song. More

DECLAN RICE rescued a point for Arsenal after David Raya failed to stop a Bruno Fernandes freekick.Fernandes’ set piece was followed by a confident Rice strike in the second half, leaving the sides with a point apiece.Declan Rice celebrates scoring Arsenal’s equaliserCredit: PABruno Fernandes put his side ahead with a wonderful free-kickCredit: GettyDavid Raya kept the Gunners in it when he denied Mazraoui at point-blank rangeCredit: APRice made a goal-saving tackle on Rasmus Hojlund late onCredit: GettyAfter a quiet first half, both sides woke up and provided more going forward after the break but lacked quality in the final third.Raya’s display in the second half more than made up for his earlier error and, alongside Rice, kept his side in the game.Coming off the back of a riotous 7-1 victory over PSV, Arsenal reverted to their goal scoring drought and proved once again that they desperately need a striker.United fans staged a protest before the match, marching against the club’s ownership but had something to smile about after their captain whipped a free-kick that was just enough to beat Raya.The result all but solidifies Liverpool’s title hopes as Mikel Arteta drops more unnecessary points in a game where his side dominated but failed to break down United’s defence.The Gunners now sit 15 points behind leaders Liverpool with just 10 matches left to play and questions will be asked of Arteta’s failure to keep his side in the title race.But, who was on the mark for the Gunners?Can Arteta push for the title without an out-and-out striker?JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSDid anyone shine off the bench for Arteta’s side?Here, SunSport’s Conor Jones delivers his Arsenal player ratings against Manchester United…How Arteta’s Merino experiment is surprising defenders and crucial to Arsenal’s attackDAVID RAYA – 9With Fernandes’ freekick not hitting the corner, Raya should’ve saved it and you need to deliver in those moments if you want to challenge for a title.The Spanish keeper dived slowly and has no excuses for this one.However, the keeper made up for his fatal error, producing three world class saves in the second half.An outstretched right leg managed to deny a Noussair Mazraoui volley from close range and the Spaniard spread himself in Peter Schmeichel fashion to stop a flick from Joshua Zirkee’s backheel, again from incredibly close range.A late chance for Fernandes was stopped with a flailing dive and scooped off the line with a Seaman-esque save.JURRIEN TIMBER – 8With Ben White back to the Arsenal bench, Timber is fighting to make sure the right-back position is his and made a strong case at Old Trafford.A comfortable display against PSV midweek saw the Dutchman start and he delivered with a solid defensive performance and a wonderful assist forRice.Timber constantly made himself an option on the right hand side where the Gunners focused their attacks, and displayed a fantastic work rate.He was strong in aerial duels and returned most of Onana’s goal kicks to the delight of the travelling faithful.WILLIAM SALIBA – 7A solid performance managing the counterattacks which United were reliant on.The Frenchman was comfortable in possession which was vital on an afternoon where the Gunners had a lot of it.Though United looked more dangerous in the second half, it’s hard to fault either of the Gunners’ centre-halves.GABRIEL – 7Following on from a solid display in the Champions League, the Brazilian marshalled Zirkzee well, often getting in front of him to sniff out United attacks early.The defender was quick to spread the ball out to Calafiori and Trossard helping to push his side forward at each opportunity.Neither himself nor his partner lived up to their success from corners this year which could have been the difference for a blunt Arsenal attack.RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6The Italian left-back replaced Myles Lewis-Skelly to deliver a goal and an assist against PSV, earning him the starting spot at Old Trafford.After a solid first half, Calafiori struggled to deal with Garnacho in the second 45 and the home side saw most of their joy attacking his flank, so his replacement felt necessary.On the attacking front, Calafiori again proved to be a nuisance for the opposition and featured in a number of attacks but needs to work on his deliveries if he wants to solidify his spot in the starting lineup.THOMAS PARTEY – 7A dangerous challenge on Garnacho in the fifth minute and the midfielder was lucky not to see yellow.Other than that, he swept up in front of his back line well and effectively recycled possession, often winning the ball back to stop attacks.The midfielder played some strong passes between the lines but can offer more to his side’s offensive unit than he did today.DECLAN RICE – 9The England star showed his eagerness by offering forward runs throughout, nearly going clean through in the third minute of the game, and saved his team from an embarrassing loss.Timber laid the ball back to Rice just inside the area and the midfielder struck cleanly beyond Onana to round off a strong performance.The midfielder linked up with Trossard a couple of times but lacked the final pass on most occasions.Rice went on to provide a goal-saving challenge on Rasmus Hojlund after Merino was dispossessed just outside his own area and proved to be the difference for his side.Arsenal would have struggled without him on the pitch and most likely lost.MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7Odegaard confidently pulled the strings for Arsenal combining well with Rice and Nwaneri.The Norwegian tested Andre Onana with a shot from outside the area and dinked a couple of balls over the top but lacked the cutting edge.While he failed to deliver on this occasion, the captain was at the heart of Arsenal’s attacks and was unlucky to see a curling strike saved by Onana in the second half.ETHAN NWANERI – 5Constantly offered an option down the right but carelessly gave the ball away to kick off a United counterattack which luckily ended in a Mazraoui handball.Like many of his team-mates, and the opposition, he lacked the final pass or shot and wasn’t as dangerous as he can be.The attacking line needed to be freshened up in the second half and his departure made sense as he failed to create as much as Trossard on the left-hand side.MIKEL MERINO – 6Merino defended doggedly, popping up to help the Gunners defend in their own final third but nearly gave the game away in the 82nd minute after being dispossessed.The Spaniard’s pressing almost nicked him a goal in the fourth minute after a defensive calamity from United and he was unfortunate to drag a shot wide of the post later on.The makeshift striker was unlucky not to send Declan Rice through in the third minute but showed again that the Gunners are in dire need of a goalscorer.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6The attacker was at fault for Fernandes’ freekick opener with a careless challenge on Garnacho, earning him a deserved yellow card.Nonetheless, Trossard pressed ferociously and got the better of Matthijs De Ligt on a number of occasions.The Belgian came close with a strike from the left that sailed just wide of the right post and nearly got on the end of a neat chip over the defensive line from Odegaard.SubsMYLES LEWIS-SKELLY (Calafiori, 58) – 7The youngster made a positive impact again and won his side a dangerous freekick on the edge of the area.GABRIEL MARTINELLI (Nwaneri, 58) – 7Brought fresh legs into the attacking unit and managed to make himself a reliable option on the right wing.Was unlucky not to score in the final ten minutes after Rice played him through while United’s backline were napping.An offside flag saved him from the embarrassment of missing a chance to win the game. 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IT was a performance that would have pleased Ruben Amorim but a 1-1 draw with Arsenal does little to paper over the cracks at Manchester United.On a day when the Old Trafford crowd protested the owners, the players stood up to show their remains life in a club that fans say is experiencing a “slow death”.Bruno Fernandes fired in a stunning free-kickCredit: GettyIt was a much-improved performance from UnitedCredit: APJoshua Zirkzee had another tough day leading the lineCredit: GettyThere was a lack of clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes as both sides goalscoring troubles continued.A moment of magic was needed and Fernandes stepped up as he so often does.Alejandro Garnacho was fouled on the edge of the box to give United a free-kick in the skipper’s range.Arsenal’s wall was full of man mountains, but Fernandes found the power, dip and accuracy to beat David Raya between the sticks – even if the wall was marched 11.2 yards back instead of the regulated ten.Mikel Arteta’s side came out swinging in the second-half but with a makeshift No9 up top, United were able to frustrate them and remain a threat on the counter.Noussair Mazraoui had a huge chance saved by Raya in a wing-back to wing-back move that would have pleased Ruben Amorim.But United’s defence was eventually breached by a brilliant effort from Declan Rice.More chances fell to both sides, Rasmus Hojlund and Gabriel Martinelli coming close to winning it before Fernandes drew a fantastic stop from Raya in the dying embers.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Red Devils eventually had to settle for a point in a much-improved performance.Here is how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the United performances.Thousands of Man Utd fans launch furious protest march at way club is ‘slowly dying before our eyes’ANDRE ONANA – 6Good early save from Odegaard’s shot and a flying second half tip over from the Norwegian.Confident catch from a corner but then as he tried to take a quick goal kick he played it straight to an Arsenal player. He put his next kick straight out of play and was teased for the rest of the day by the visiting fans.Just about sums up the Cameroon’s time at United – sometimes great but with some head-scratching moments thrown in. Erratic. 6MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 8Got away with an early error which could have been costly. Also involved in a painful clash with Merino.Dutch international has shown why United signed him in recent weeks. Crucial clearance over his own bar when Martinelli was poised to equalise.Gave away free-kick with foul on Lewis Skelly that could have proved costly but also could have won it, only for his header from Garnacho’s free-kick to lack power and direction. 8VICTOR LINDELOF – 6Looks destined for the Old Trafford exit this summer but has been thrust back into the team in recent weeks.Stray pass put Arsenal on a counter attack late in the first half but the Swede can be pleased with his performance in the back three.Lung-busting run from the back teed up Garnacho for a late chance to win it but he fired his shot over the bar. 6LENY YORO – 6Needed treatment early on and looked to be feeling the effects for most of the first half and at times the young Frenchman was noticeably limping.Question marks over whether it was wise to soldier on with the injury list and a bigger game coming up on Thursday.But he had some important interceptions before it was decided he could not continue at the break – when he was replaced by Ayden Heaven. 6NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Showed his versatility by switching to wing-back after playing at centre-back in recent weeks.What a moment it could – and should – have been as he met Dalot’s cross first time only to be denied by the legs of Raya.Currently fasting due to Ramadan but did not lack energy up and down his wing and did his bit defensively. 6BRUNO FERNANDES – 8The skipper tends to be at the heart of all United’s best work.Clever play to tee-up Garnacho but his angled shot drifted wide.Showed his quality with the free-kick just before half-time – whipping it over the wall and beyond Raya.Also could have edged it right at the death but was denied by Raya. 8CASEMIRO – 7United fans might have feared the worst when they saw the midfield selected.Arsenal had most of the ball for much of the game but he showed his experience to help keep clear chances to a minimum.Early foot in to deny Rice, did well to get in the way of Odegaard’s free-kick. 7DIOGO DALOT – 6Portuguese was making his 200th appearance for United.Hung up a super cross to the back post which Mazraoui should have scored to put the home side two up – but Raya denied him.Some feel the Portuguese needs to take more risks when he goes forward but he did his bit defensively to help keep the Gunners at bay.Wasted a late chance to put a good cross in during stoppage time. 6CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 5Drafted in so goal shy forward Hojlund could be taken out of the firing line.The former Spurs man would have loved to make an impression against the Gunners but playing him in a more advanced role did not really work.Amorim chose to take him off in favour of the fresh legs of Collyer soon after the equaliser – knowing United needed some new impetus. 5ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 7Better from the Argentine who has lost his way in recent weeks.Cross shot beat Raya but drifted wide in the first half but then won a free-kick on edge of box when his surging run ended with a foul by Trossard.Also supplied the cross that De Ligt headed straight at Raya as both sides searched for the winner. 7JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 5A typically frustrating first half from the Dutch forward as nothing he tried seemed to come off. Was also shrugged off the ball too easily.Attempted a cheeky back heel as he got on the end of Garnacho’s cross but Raya stuck a big right hand out to deny him.Would have been a big moment for him but instead he was subbed as soon as the Gunners equalised and replaced by Hojlund. 5SUBS:AYDEN HEAVEN for Yoro 46 – 6Prem debut as a second half sub – ironically against his former club and did well. 6RASMUS HOJLUND for Zirkzee  76 – 6Golden chance to win it but dallied too long. 6TOBY COLLYER for Eriksen 76 – 6Gave United a bit more energy in the closing stages. 6 More