Report: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United

Clear-cut chances were at a premium on Wednesday as Manchester United recorded a competitive goalless draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The match started at a fair pace and Robin van Persie should have scored against his former club in the second minute when his scuffed shot was easily saved by Wojciech Szczesny. Not to be outdone, the Gunners then went close through Olivier Giroud, whose header flew just wide of the back post.
Playing on the left, Juan Mata began quietly but showed a glimpse of his immeasurable ability when a wonderful through-ball led to Van Persie firing a right-footed shot wide in the 19th minute. Moments later, Giroud gave everyone a sense of déjà vu as he nodded away from David De Gea’s goal for the second time. The French striker then collided with Rafael, who fell awkwardly on his shoulder and was replaced at the break by Rio Ferdinand.

Fulham draw was 'cruel', says Mata

The Red Devils slipped further behind in the race for fourth place with a draw against the Cottagers on Sunday, and the club's record signing says the players must remain strong.

 

Juan Mata has urged his Manchester United team-mates to stick together and not blame bad luck for side's recent slump after their "cruel" 2-2 home draw to Fulham on Sunday.

The Cottagers stunned the Red Devils as Darren Bent nodded in a 94th-minute equaliser to earn a share of the spoils, with United struggling to create clear-cut chances despite dominating possession and producing a staggering 81 crosses.

These are worrying times for United fans as the champions are nine points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool

Young: Poor finishing cost Manchester United at Stoke

Manchester United winger Ashley Young has blamed the Red Devils' poor finishing for Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Stoke City

David Moyes was able to field Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata in the same side for the first time at the Britannia Stadium but two goals from Charlie Adam secured the narrow victory for the hosts.

The result leaves United in seventh place in the table, six points behind Liverpool in fourth, and Young was frustrated with the failure to convert despite the team's 19 attempts on goal.

He told MUTV: "Adam's goal was a tremendous strike but, even after that, we always knew we were going to be in the game. We played until the final whistle but we're disappointed we could not get the second goal.

Report: Stoke 2 United 1

Manchester United slipped to defeat at Stoke as two goals from Charlie Adam either side of Robin van Persie’s equaliser gave the home side all three points.

Both sides struggled to deal with the blustery conditions early on, and United were forced into a change after just 10 minutes when Rafael replaced the limping Jonny Evans. United, with the wind at their backs in the first half, had the majority of possession but rarely threatened the Stoke goal, while the hosts were reduced to long-range shots that failed to hit the target.
But just as the Reds looked to be gaining control, they fell behind in unlucky circumstances when Adam’s long-range free kick took a deflection off Michael Carrick’s right knee to send the ball to David De Gea’s right when the keeper looked to have it covered.
To make matters worse, the back four was rejigged again before the break when Phil Jones was carried off on a stretcher following a blow to the head, but after a welcome respite at half-time, United were soon back on level terms. Juan Mata’s deft touch gave van Persie the time and space to place the ball past Asmir Begovic for the equaliser, but Adam’s fierce half-volley five minutes later put the home side back into the lead.
United struggled to force their way back against their fired-up hosts until the closing stages, with their best chance a Wayne Rooney free-kick that Begovic brilliantly turned onto the post. Tom Cleverley blazed the ball over following the ensuing melee, before the final whistle ensured the Reds were beaten at Britannia Stadium for the first time.