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Five things we’ve learnt from United vs Arsenal

Manchester-United-v-Arsenal-FA-Cup-Quarter-FinalFor the first time since the period between 1986-1989, Manchester United will go two seasons in a row without any silverware, after Arsenal deservedly clinched a 2-1 win at Old Trafford to book themselves a place in the FA Cup semifinal.

Having gone behind halfway through the first half, United responded brilliantly thanks to a Wayne Rooney goal and even produced some good attacking football in the first 45 minutes, before it all came crashing down in the second half.

Here’s five talking points from Monday night.

1) United need a new right-back

Throughout the course of the season, fans and pundits alike have focused on the need for United to invest on a world class centre-back to partner Marcos Rojo, given that neither Chris Smalling nor Phil Jones and Jonny Evans can be considered good enough.

However, while a centre-back remains a priority, Louis Van Gaal will have to make signing a right-back one his priorities, for yesterday’s game must surely spend the end for Antonio Valencia, at least as a first team player.

Manchester United's Ecuadorian midfielde

The Ecuadorian has been embarrassingly mono-dimensional for the last three seasons but he was at his worst against Arsenal, bamboozled by Alexis Sanchez, dithering in possession and often out of position, he’s a passenger United can’t afford to carry.

That he gave away Arsenal’s second goal with a catastrophic back pass was almost an afterthought after an horrendous performance.

2) We need to talk about Adnan

Throughout David Moyes’ doomed 10-month stint at United, Adnan Januzaj had emerged as a beacon of light in a frighteningly dark campaign. Things have changed dramatically for the Belgian, who seems to have regressed under Van Gaal.

Brought on to add attacking verve to a tiring side, Januzaj was again a passenger, losing the ball too easily and making the wrong choice whenever he had possession.

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Admittedly, his task wasn’t helped by United being reduced to 10 men soon after he was brought on, but United’s number 11 failed to make any impact on the game and squandered United’s best chance of the second half by petulantly diving in the box.

Van Gaal’s arrival was meant to boost Januzaj’s development, but the youngster is quickly becoming a one-season wonder.

3) A Blind midfield

In different spells of this season, Michael Carrick and Daley Blind looked to be the answer to United’s midfield problems. Excellent passers of the ball and with a footballing intelligence above average, both could be crucial players for United but, when deployed in tandem, their lack of physicality makes them an easy target.

Not only do they lack the size to compete against the likes of Yaya Toure, they also don’t have the legs to match Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla, which exposed United’s shaky back four throughout the second 45 minutes on Monday night.

If Van Gaal wants to deploy two sitting midfielders in front of the back four, then Carrick and Blind must take turns, otherwise the system is doomed.

4) Diving is unacceptable

Michael Oliver might have got a couple of calls wrong, but his decision to book Januzaj for diving was spot on. The Belgian’s stupidity alone was worthy of a yellow card, for having escaped Nacho Monreal with a brilliant burst of pace, Januzaj opted to tumble to the ground inside the box after the Arsenal full-back had made the slightest of contacts with him outside the box.

 

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Likewise, his decision to show Angel Di Maria a second yellow for a petulant tug of the shirt was bizarre considering the same referee had been angrily squared up by Joe Hart in the Manchester derby earlier this season, but Di Maria had gone down too easily to get himself booked.

Losing, whether deservedly or not, can be tolerated, but diving should have no place at Manchester United, regardless of the circumstances.

5) Things will get harder

If there’s one certainty to emerge from Monday night is that United don’t have time to dwell on their misery, for they face Spurs at home on Sunday, followed by a trip to Anfield seven days later.

Both games are likely to go a long way in determining their fate in the race to fourth spot, particularly considering that both clubs look a much better bet for a Champions League finish than United have done for some time.

In days gone by, you’d have backed United to bounce back after a disappointing result, even more so when with they’re backs against the wall and against difficult opponents. This season, however, that is wishful thinking more than anything else.

Dan


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