Premier League: Manchester United’s three worst players against Arsenal

Manchester United ended the festive Premier League period with a limp defeat to old rivals Arsenal.

Goals from Nicolas Pepe and Sokratis gave the Gunners a much-needed win and the first three points under Mikel Arteta. Manchester United started 2020 with a whimper as they produced a gutless display against Arsenal.

After Chelsea drew against Brighton Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side had the chance to close the gap to 4th place to just 2 points. Football fans from around the world can purchase Premier League Football Tickets online to enjoy its stunning performances.

But Manchester United were at their toothless passive and dire best we did not cause the hosts who have a leaky defense any trouble whatsoever.

First-half goals from Nicolas Pepe and Sokratis were enough for the Gunners to secure a 2-0 victory and give Mikel Arteta his first victory.

Here are the Manchester United players that were well off the pace.

Manchester United center-back Harry Maguire

The world’s most expensive defender struggled to handle the pace and movement of Arsenal’s talented forward line.

Maguire tried to get as tight as he could to Alexandre Lacazette but there were too many times where Manchester United’s captain got spun or outmaneuvered.

It was clear that the former Leicester City man was getting frustrated by the glaring lack of movement in front of him and that resulted in a number of passes going astray.

His lack of pace and mobility was exploited against the Gunners and this was highlighted when he cynically brought down Mesut Ozil. It was arguably Maguire’s most disappointing performance since joining the club in the summer.

Harry Maguire felt that MANCHESTER UNITED should have done better in front of goal as the Reds fell to a 2-0 loss against Arsenal on New Year's Day.

Despite a bright start from Manchester United which saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side get in behind the Gunners' defense on a number of occasions, it was the hosts that emerged victorious courtesy of first-half strikes from Nicolas Pepe and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

“We started the game well,” Harry said to MUTV after the game. "In the first 10 minutes, we created two good opportunities where we should have been a little bit more clinical. And then from there until the half-time whistle, they were on top.”

They played with more aggression; more intensity and they pressed us better. So we have got to go back, work hard improve. In the second half we huffed and puffed and created some chances but the key period was from the 15th minute until the half-time whistle and we were not good enough.

Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw

Ever since his double leg fracture in 2015, Luke Shaw has struggled to nail down his starting position at Manchester United.

He might have been signed as a 19-year-old full of promise and potential, but the Red Devils have only seen it shine through on an irregular occurrence. Now 24, Shaw has only featured three times this season due to injury and is, somehow, one of the more ‘senior’ members of the Man United dressing room.

With Shaw’s injury, Ole Gunnar Solskjær took it upon himself to promote the younger Brandon Williams. At 19, the England youth international has been a breath of fresh air having impressed hugely both in the Europa League and Premier League.

Shaw’s performance was always going to be under scrutiny due to how well Brandon Williams played against Burnley.

Solskjaer opted to recall Shaw but it was a decision which backfired and should result in Williams getting another to chance to stake his claim against Wolves.

There is never any urgency, when Shaw is either defending or attacking everything, is done at half pace.

Arsenal’s record signing Pepe has endured a torrid start to life in England but somehow Shaw made him look like a world-beater.

He never put a tackle in and just backed off after being left on his backside after he got sold for a dummy. The former Southampton man is too ponderous in possession; he takes far too many touches and a lot of his passes end up going backward.

Manchester United attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard

Solskjaer gave Lingard a chance to impress against a side he has had previous success in a bid to rekindle some form. It was a harsh decision on Andreas Pereira who had contributed back-to-back assists in the games against Newcastle and Burnley.

Manchester United’s number 14 failed to have any influence on the match and was hooked just shy of the hour mark.

It is little wonder that Angel Gomes is stalling on signing a new deal when he isn't being given a look-in in a side that chops and changes their attacking midfielder on a regular basis.

He may be one of our own but on a day where Jack Grealish and James Maddison’s respected stocks continue to rise Lingard’s days a key part of this Manchester United side is dwindling and fast.

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Ryan Giggs accused Jesse Lingard of lacking football intelligence after the Red Devils’ 2-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates.

Goals from Nicolas Pepe and Sokratis gave Arsenal a deserved win against Manchester United who was well below-par during a disappointing night in north London for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

Manchester United was abysmal during a despondent opening 45 minutes but Solskjaer waited until the hour-mark before making any changes.

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