Much was made about the coming together of Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger in the build-up to Saturday's 12.30pm kick-off, with Sky Sports cringely dubbing it 'ReUnited', but it was more about the starting XIs that these men sent out rather than any potential sideline beef between the two managers.
The first-half was a dull affair, Man Utd in the ascendency and asking a few questions of Petr Cech and the back four, and probably should have had a penalty when Nacho Monreal panicked and impeded Valencia, but Arsenal were surprisingly quiet, with David De Gea having nothing to do.
The second-half was much better. Manchester United pushed the tempo and looked to have won the game were it not for Giroud's late goal. Arsenal were lucky to escape with a point after what was a very poor performance by the standard they have set for themselves this season, and while United were improved, they will be raging that they let two points slip.
Manchester United:
David De Gea - 6
Had pretty much nothing to do apart from pick the ball out of his net after a late goal that he could have done nothing about.
Antonio Valencia - 7
United fans would have been happy to see him back in the lineup so soon after surgery on his wrist, because he showed how valuable he is to the team by bombing on and giving Monreal trouble all day, because Ozil certainly wasn't arsed tracking him.
Gary Neville's man of the match.
Phil Jones - 6
A solid performance from Jones, until he was beaten to the ball by Giroud for the leveller.
Marcos Rojo - 6
Rojo has looked better when playing alongside Jones in recent times, and he seems to have turned his insanity down a few notches which will be very welcome. Solid today.
Matteo Darmian - 7
A much better performance from Darmian despite being somewhat out of position at left-back. Dealt with Walcott very well and supported the attack before making way for Blind.
Michael Carrick - 7
A calming influence on the entire Man Utd team, Carrick is like a good big brother to the United team who for him anytime they are uncomfortable. Provided the platform for United to take the game to Arsenal today.
Ander Herrera - 8
First name on the team sheet for most Man Utd fans at this stage, Herrera is seemingly the only one who can be relied upon to be motivated for every game. Provided the assist for his BFF, one of the best players on the pitch today.
Juan Mata - 8
The other amigo, his goal was superbly taken and his first touch remains right up there with the best in world football. With so much made about his future under Mourinho, it's impressive how he has just gotten on with it.
Paul Pogba - 5
Pogba was decent, but still hasn't managed to take over a big game in the manner many expected him to. A few nice touches around the pitch, not bad, but nothing to write home about.
Anthony Martial - 4
A poor showing for Martial, who is clearly struggling for confidence. The Frenchman was wasteful, and although he was ambitious in possesion it was not his day. Needs to do more off the ball too.
Marcus Rashford - 6
He was bright and lively, but just lacking that final ball. Still, a good shift put in from Rashford who looked a lot more threatening than when shunted out to the wing.
(Sub) Wayne Rooney - 5
Very little involvement.
(Sub) Daley Blind - 5
Brought on to cover at left-back, where the cross for the goal came from as The Ox skipped past Rashford after Blind tracked his man into the box. Can't blame him for the goal but he didn't do much else.
(Sub) Morgan Schneiderlin - 5
Brought on to help see the game out, but while the goal wasn't his fault, it was objective failed.
Arsenal:
Petr Cech - 6
Could do nothing about the goal, and played well otherwise despite being worked harder than he would have expected.
Carl Jenkinson - 5
Looked like he isn't really good enough to play for Arsenal, because... Well...
Arsenal's full-backs let them down today, as United had a lot of joy down both flanks.
Shkodran Mustafi - 6
The central defenders were much more solid, and both put in decent defensive performances, again because they had more work to do than they would have expected.
Laurent Koscielny - 6
See Mustafi, although perhaps more will have been expected of Koscielny as he has established himself in the discussion of the best defender in the league.
Nacho Monreal - 4
Had a very poor game, but was marking both Mata and Valencia for most of it, so perhaps this is harsh. Still, a panicky and nervy performance and was caught out for the goal.
Francois Coquelin - 5
Played on the back foot for the the majority of the game before making way after the goal came, Coquelin is a tidy player but the midfield combo were too defensive today and the team were on the back foot as a result.
Mohamed Elneny - 5
See Coquelin, a good player but never someone who is going to take the game to the opposition.
Theo Walcott - 5
A bad day at the office for Theo, who was surprisingly ineffective in what many Arsenal fans would have seen as an ideal match-up.
Aaron Ramsey - 5
Sloppy touches throughout, there is growing unrest amongst the fans over his form, and starting him over Giroud looks to have been an error.
Mesut Ozil - 4
Anonymous.
Alexis Sanchez - 6
Tried his best and worked hard, he was let down by those around him more than anything as he had almost no service up front.
(Sub) Olivier Giroud - 9
What more can you ask? Saved the day. Get out of jail card well and truly played.
(Sub) Granit Xhaka - 6
Probably should have started, plays with fire in the belly that was clearly missing.
(Sub) Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 7
Like Giroud, did what he was asked. Put in a great ball for the equaliser.
In summary, the ratings alone would tell you that United won the game if you didn't know the score, which generally reflects how the game went. Man Utd put in a decent performance but switched off late on and were punished, Arsenal were very poor but managed to snatch a point.
