Roy Keane said that Manchester United have made progress but picked out four players they shouldn't have finished the game against Arsenal with.
Just nine days ago, United fans were left dreaming of the possibility of entering the race for the Premier League title, along with league leaders Arsenal and rivals Manchester City.
After beating City they knew wins over Crystal Palace and Arsenal in the following week would have them well in the picture but, as quickly as their hopes had grown, all hope soon disappeared.
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Michael Olise's perfect free kick goal, along with Casemiro's suspension for the following game, dented their chances and excitement going into Sunday's tie with Mikel Arteta's side.
The game with the Gunners was one of the matches of the Premier League season so far, with both sides showing attacking intent.
However, despite Marcus Rashford's stunning strike to put them ahead, United were holding on late in the game, as the hosts piled on the pressure.
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They were unable to keep their point, with the match poised at 2-2, with Eddie Nketiah scoring an injury time winner, to add to his equaliser in the first half.
After the game, Keane acknowledged that his former side had improved under Erik ten Hag but named four players that they need to replace to be near a title challenge.
"I think the last few days have been difficult with the dropping points last minute against Palace and the defeat today, so yeah, that’s what the game does to you," the Sky Sports pundit said in the studio during post match analysis.
"United weren’t at their best but you think could they have hung on for the draw, take a point and move on, but it goes back to where United made progress, but then come the end of the game Shaw’s still at left-back - question marks over him - Wan-Bissaka, Fred’s back in midfield, McTominay - as if United haven’t moved on from their problems of the past.
"I’m not just blaming them players because it was a tough game and you’ve got to give credit to Arsenal, but it is a reality check. I’ve said it the last few weeks, United are well short.
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"We were missing an important player today but that’s the game, United should be able to deal with it, and when the going got tough and you’re looking at the options off the bench, it wasn’t great.
"For all the money United spent, they’re still well short, and we saw that today in a game against an Arsenal team who are flying.
"I was always certain Man United would be going for top four, I think they’ll be fine for that, try and win a cup, but in terms of competing for league titles they’ve a bit to go yet."
It's unlikely that too many United fans would have much argument with three of those players, although it does seem somewhat harsh on Shaw.
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The left back was dropped early in the season but has been in excellent form in recent weeks, even filling in well at centre back, including during the derby, and just had an off day as Bukayo Saka played brilliantly.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has only just got back into the team, after the manager seemed unlikely to play him earlier in the season, due to Diogo Dalot's injury, right back was always likely to be a position United attempted to strengthen in the summer.
In central midfield, the Fred and McTominay pivot was questioned a lot during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's tenure and they finished the match together.
The signings of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen has undoubtedly made the team better in the middle of the pitch but the former's suspension meant the Scottish international had to play instead of him.
Featured Image Credit: Sky SportsTopics: Manchester United, Roy Keane, Premier League, Arsenal, Scott Mctominay, Luke Shaw, Fred, Aaron Wan Bissaka