article_snippet: For their part, it was surprising to see United without their best passer, Michael Carrick, but their still had a bold look about their at the start and that was indicative of the fact that this was a game Van Gaal wished to win at the first attempt.
article_snippet: Daley Blind was selected as United’s only holding player and that, in turn, released Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini to try and hurt Arsenal further up the field.
article_snippet: full-backs Bellerin and Nacho Monreal got significant change out of full-backs Bellerin and Nacho Monreal opposite numbers, forcing full-backs Bellerin and Nacho Monreal back, and this allowed their team to stretch the play in a fashion that made United look distinctly uncomfortable.
article_snippet: When United did have the ball it was clear United had been instructed to play with more urgency.
article_snippet: Unfortunately, this is not a United team that has any great confidence or belief and as soon as things started to go wrong United game plan fell apart to the extent that the final 20 minutes saw United launch a succession of long balls up towards Fellaini.
article_snippet: It is hard to say they worked, the hooking of Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera serving only to rob United of any impetus.
article_snippet: Luke Shaw was taken off in the second half for United after proving to be ineffective on the left .
article_snippet: Equally, the early subs left Van Gaal with no wild card as United chased the game late on.