MAN UNITED 1, ARSENAL 1
A late equaliser from substitute Olivier Giroud denied Manchester United a moral-boosting win against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
It looked as though the Reds would emerge victors and reignite their Barclays Premier League title challenge until Giroud’s intervention in the 89th minute.
United were the more inventive side and deserved the lead given to them by Juan Mata 22 minutes from time.
But it was another case of what might have been as the Gunners snatched a point with their only on target goal attempt of the match.
And the result meant that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger still has not registered a win against Mourinho in 12 attempts.
It was another frustrating day for Mourinho who thought his side did enough to win that would have moved them to within three points of the Gunners.
Mourinho described his side as the “unlucky side in the Premier League” explaining United controlled the game against a very good Arsenal team.
He said: “We did not see amazing players as we were under control.
“We should have scored before it was 1-0 and should have scored after it was 1-0 and won the game comfortably.
“I feel very disappointed for the players and for the fans who were amazing.
“We were unlucky with the result, but lucky with the fans we have and I am sorry for them. It feels like a defeat and for Arsenal it will feel a victory.”
He added that in the three games against Burnley, Stoke and Arsenal they ought to have picked up nine points instead of three.
“With six more points, we would be in the top four and close to the top of the league.
“We know we have lots of work to do. We are very happy with our work and better results will come.”
Wenger was pleased with his side’s never-say-die attitude.
He said: “It was a serious defensive performance, but offensively we have been better.
“United were 1-0 ahead and deserved it. They dropped off after scoring and we were resolute to the end scoring a great goal.
“It is not the first time we have come from behind and it shows great unity, resilience and never give-up attitude.”
United were without the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic while Wayne Rooney was only on the bench.
That meant youngster Marcus Rashford was the loan man up front with Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba and Mata operating behind them.
In total there were four changes from the side that beat Swansea before the international break.
Ibrahimovic and Rooney were joined on the sidelines by Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini as Martial, Rashford, Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia returned, the latter after breaking his arm in the EFL Cup against Manchester City.
Mourinho sought out Wenger for a handshake as the two men took their places in the technical areas. And the visiting fans taunted the former Chelsea manager chanting he was no longer the ‘special one’.
United had the first goal attempt after four minutes when Mata curled a free kick narrowly wide.
That was soon followed by Arsenal’s first chance when Alexis Sanchez could not direct a header on target.
United were convinced they ought to have been awarded a 35th minute penalty when Valencia was hauled down by Nacho Monreal, but referee Andre Marriner waved play on. Mourinho was furious at the decision remonstrating from the touchline.
Mata had the first on target goal attempt of the game one minute later, his drive forcing a save from Petr Cech diving full length low to his left to turn the ball away.
Cech was called into action for a second time turning over a shot from Martial.
From the resulting corner, the ball was cleared to Martial whose shot from the edge of the box brought Cech to his knees.
United started the second half brightly without ever seriously threatening the Arsenal goal.
And Mourinho made his first change after 63 minutes when Rooney replaced Martial. He played up front with Rashford switching to the left.
The Reds’ fans had earlier displayed humour with a chorus that Rooney was on a bender.
A second substitution quickly followed as Daley Blind took over from Matteo Darmian at left back.
The deadlock was finally broken after 68 minutes when Herrera cut the ball back from the right and Mata swept home a shot from 16 yards low to the right of Cech. It was his fourth goal of the season and fourth Premier League goal he has netted against the Gunners.
United had a great chance to score a second, but Marcos Rojo headed wide when well placed to meet a Blind cross.
The Reds were tantalisingly close to victory when Giroud cut short their celebrations after substitutes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Giroud combined.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, who had only been on the pitch six minutes, got away from Rashford on the right before delivering a delightful cross to the far post for Giroud to head home.