Manchester United missed the chance to increase the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City as they played out a goalless draw with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
United striker Edinson Cavani had two good chances late on but Arsenal fully deserved their point on a bitterly cold night in north London.
The Gunners went closest when Alexandre Lacazette’s clipped free-kick hit the bar after the break while United keeper David de Gea saved well from Emile Smith Rowe and Nicolas Pepe also threatened to break the deadlock.
De Gea’s counterpart Bernd Leno also distinguished himself with an athletic fingertip save from Fred in the first half.
United came within inches of winning it in the closing stages when Cavani saw a close-range effort deflected wide off Leno and the Uruguay striker then hooked a superb cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka just wide when he looked certain to score.
Arsenal gave a late debut to Martin Odegaard, signed on loan from Real Madrid, but he had little impact and the stalemate leaves United three points behind Manchester City having played a game more.
Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was desperate to earn a first win over Arsenal, as he is the only United manager to have faced the Gunners in the top-flight more than once and remain winless.
The former-striker has faced the north London side four times, and suffered three defeats – and Manchester United haven’t lost three consecutive league games away at Arsenal since May 1991.
Manchester City moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League after Gabriel Jesus sealed a 1-0 win against Sheffield United on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s side took an early lead through Jesus’s close-range strike at the Etihad Stadium.
