Jose Mourinho maintained his mythical hoodoo over his long-term advisory Arsene Wenger, but it will have been the Arsenal manager that will have been the happier of the two following a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Manchester United were firmly in control of the contest for long spells, creating a number of clear-cut goal scoring opportunities culminating with Juan Mata’s strike mid-way through the second half. Arsenal were restricted to just two shots on target but substitute Olivier Giroud made them count as he powered an impressive header beyond David De Gea in the 89th minute to snatch a late equaliser.
The Special One may have continued his unbeaten run over Wenger, but the result means that The Gunners maintain their six point cushion over United in fourth place.
The hoodoo continues
Arsene Wenger has never beaten Jose Mourinho in a competitive fixture since the Portuguese maestro burst onto the scene in 2003 during his first spell in charge of Chelsea. Ironically, Arsenal never truly looked like overcoming United and yet Wenger will undoubtedly be delighted with this smash and grab point.
In truth United have only themselves to blame. Despite controlling the vast majority of the game they failed to build on Juan Mata’s strike in the second period and put the match to bed with a second goal. The longer the contest went on the more content the home side looked with settling for a precarious one goal lead and, with the game entering its closing moments, Mourinho’s side sat back and invited unnecessary pressure. Credit must also go to Arsenal for persisting and to Giroud for climbing off the bench and producing a prodigious late header.
The hoodoo remains, but Wenger will be by far the happier of the two managers.