Man Utd held Arsenal to a draw at Old Trafford (Image: Getty)
Ruben Amorim billed this game as ‘Survival Sunday’ for Manchester United and they did just that to finally kill off ‘s faint title hopes.
Defiance from United off the pitch, in a pre-match protest from thousands of fans against owners the Glazers and , was followed by defiance on it from the players.
United’s players may have laboured to one of their worst seasons in living memory this season, but when it comes to facing bigger opposition, they have managed to produce their best displays.
A win at local rivals , a draw at fierce foes , an FA Cup penalty shoot-out win at and now this gutsy draw against the Gunners is proof they can match the best.
But too many times this season United have fallen short against lesser opponents, which is why they are down in 14th place in the Premier League and now only have the Europa League to play for.
For United, this was all about getting through the game without losing any more personnel ahead of Thursday’s make-or-break Europa League last 16 tie against Real Sociedad, evenly poised at 1-1.
For ‘s side, a further two points dropped leaves them 15 points adrift of leaders with 10 games left to play. Even with a game in hand, that deficit is too much to make up.
As expected, United were forced into a policy of containment in the first-half, with only fleeting chances of their own on the counter-attack, which ultimately yielded nothing.
dominated possession, but it was United who took the lead in first-half added time, with a sumptuous free-kick from , aided by some woeful goalkeeping from David Raya.
Fernandes struck the ball superbly, but Raya’s poor positioning and slowness to react meant it was nestling in the net while he was still in mid-flight.
It was the first time since December 1 United led a Premier League game at half-time, although their run of games without a first-half goal from open play extended to 21.
Martin Odegaard saw a shot tipped over the bar by Andre Onana five minutes after the restart, while United came agonisingly close to making it 2-0 at the other end three minutes later.
Joshua Zirkzee held off his marker to send Diogo Dalot scampering down the left. Dalot – guilty of failing to cross for to score against Sociedad – atoned by finding Noussair Mazraoui, whose volley was blocked by Raya.
United again came close to doubling their lead when the ball deflected into the path of Zirkzee, who tried a self-indulgent flick which was saved by Raya, rather than applying a more straightforward finish.
Those misses came back to bite United when Declan Rice made it 1-1 with a majestic sweeping finish, after fine work down the right from Jurrien Timber, who provided the assist.
Sub had a glorious chance to score with six minutes left with only Raya to beat, but his delay in shooting allowed Rice to execute a vital and perfectly-timed tackle.
Raya produced a stunning double save in the 93rd minute, first from Fernandes at point-blank range then getting back up to scoop the ball away as it threatened to spin over the line, to ensure it remained honours even.