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Manchester United logo
Premier League
May 17, 2015 at 4pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

1-1

Herrera (30')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Blackett (82' og.)

Player Ratings: Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal

Sports Mole marks the Manchester United and Arsenal players out of 10 for their displays in Sunday's Premier League draw at Old Trafford.

Manchester United missed out on the chance to go above Arsenal in the Premier League by drawing 1-1 with the Gunners this afternoon.

Arsenal failed to have a single shot in the first half as Ander Herrera put the hosts in front on the half-hour mark with a firm side-footed finish from Ashley Young's cross.

The visitors livened up in the second half and equalised with eight minutes left on the clock when Theo Walcott's cross-cum-shot was diverted into the net by United defender Tyler Blackett.

Below, Sports Mole marks each player out of 10 for their performance at Old Trafford.


Ander Herrera of Manchester United celebrates as he scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on May 17, 2015 © Getty Images

MANCHESTER UNITED

Goal

David de Gea: Had played every minute of United's season until he was taken off with 15 minutes to go because of a back injury. Before that he was rarely tested, but made one good save to keep Olivier Giroud out. (6/10)

Defence

Antonio Valencia: Did his defensive duties well, but rarely threatened in the attacking third when he was able to get forward. (6/10)

Chris Smalling: Louis van Gaal named Smalling as captain with Wayne Rooney injured and the England man produced a sound display which backed up his manager's claims of him being a "leader". (7/10)

Phil Jones: Fortunate in the first half to get away with a couple of mistakes which almost gifted Giroud a goal. (5/10)

Marcos Rojo: After a quiet first half, Rojo twice made vital challenges to deny Aaron Ramsey a shot at goal. (7/10)

Midfield

Ander Herrera: Put United ahead with an excellent first-time finish for his sixth goal of the season. He continues to win the hearts of United fans with his no-frills approach in midfield. (7/10)

Daley Blind: Did his job in the middle of the park and went close to putting United two in front with a goalbound shot that unfortunately struck teammate Smalling. (6/10)

Juan Mata: One of his quieter displays. The Spanish playmaker didn't have much luck against Arsenal anchorman Francis Coquelin. (6/10)

Marouane Fellaini: Like Mata, Fellaini scored last week. He didn't find the net today, but played a crucial part in United's goal as his presence in the area gave Herrera the space he needed to fire home. (6/10)

Ashley Young: Set up the opener with some fine wing play. United's brightest player. (7/10)

Attack

Radamel Falcao: Seemed to wave goodbye to the supporters when he was taken off on the hour mark. Slipped over multiple times and was again ineffective on what was probably his last appearance at Old Trafford as a United player.(5/10)

Substitutes

Robin van Persie: Had scored in his previous two games against former club Arsenal at Old Trafford, but was unable to extend that streak. Van Gaal said that his fellow Dutchman had been struggling with illness, but he was fit enough to come on and went close late on. (6/10)

Tyler Blackett: Took Rojo's place at left-back in the 73rd minute and unfortunately scored at the wrong end. Hard to criticise him as his block on Walcott's strike could have gone anywhere. (5/10)

Victor Valdes: Made his United debut by replacing the injured De Gea and was perhaps slightly at fault for the goal as he went to ground quite early, allowing Walcott's deflected effort to loop over him. (5/10)


Theo Walcott of Arsenal celebrates as his cross deflects off of Tyler Blackett of Manchester United for an own goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on May 17, 2015© Getty Images
ARSENAL

Goal

David Ospina: Might be a little annoyed to let Herrera's shot in at the near post, but it would have taken a remarkable save to keep it out. (6/10)

Defence

Hector Bellerin: Struggled to impact the game going forward, but made one key block in the first half. (6/10)

Per Mertesacker: No nonsense from the German. Comfortably dealt with the majority of United's attacks. (6/10)

Laurent Koscielny: Impressed with his coolness on the ball. The Frenchman can pick a pass from defence. (7/10)

Nacho Monreal: Got distracted by Fellaini's presence to leave Herrera unmarked for the opener. (5/10)

Midfield

Francis Coquelin: A bullish display in the middle of the park. Made several key interceptions and tackles. (6/10)

Santi Cazorla: Far from his best. The diminutive Spaniard was out of character and gave the ball away on multiple occasions before being taken off. (5/10)

Aaron Ramsey: Arsenal's best player. Like the rest of his teammates, he was quiet in the first half but then ran the show after half time. (7/10)

Mesut Ozil: Didn't rise to the occasion. Struggled to impact the match like he can. (5/10)

Alexis Sanchez: Saw one shot comfortably saved on a tough afternoon. He also could have helped his defence and marked Herrera for United's goal. (5/10)

Attack

Olivier Giroud: Impressed with his hold-up play, but failed to take a pair of good second-half chances. (6/10)

Substitutes

Theo Walcott: Made the difference for the visitors. He felt that it was his goal, but the ball was going wide and it will go down as a Blackett OG. (7/10)

Jack Wilshere: Gave Arsenal some midfield drive in the final 15 minutes. (6/10)

Mathieu Flamini: Brought on in the final minutes to help see the draw out. (6/10)


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Ander Herrera of Manchester United celebrates as he scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on May 17, 2015
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