Olid's Manchester United held 1-1 at Arsenal after 'intense week'

Eva Olid's Manchester United drew 1-1 with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday in a Women's Super League match after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser. The result, secured by a 95th-minute leveller, followed a display the report described as a major sign of progress for United.

Olid, 41, took charge in the summer after arriving from Hearts and pledged to implement an attacking, possession-based style. United had lost their opening two matches of the season, including a 5-0 home defeat by Chelsea, and produced only two shots on target with under 40% possession in each of those games. Early performances left questions over organisation and identity and prompted criticism in the opening weeks of her tenure.

United led from midway through the second half after Julia Zigiotti, who joined United from Bayern Munich last year, seized on a mistake from Georgia Stanway to score. They were denied a first WSL victory of the season when Smilla Holmberg's late volley produced the 95th-minute leveller.

Defensively United were compact: Simi Awujo stood out and Andrea Medina tracked back effectively as the side won more duels, put in more tackles and completed more interceptions than Arsenal, despite having only 40% of possession. Former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen told Sky Sports: "Manchester United have done a terrific job defensively. Overall, it's just been solid. "It looks so much better. The addition of Awujo has added some running power and they look so much freer in the final third."

Olid described the week leading into the match as emotionally charged and said the coaching focus had been on defensive organisation. "It has been an intense week because there were a lot of emotions from players and staff. Nobody wants to lose 5-0," said Olid. "We grew as a team. The first day after losing 5-0 is not easy for anyone. We spoke and said we needed energy this week and a positive mindset. "The focus was the defensive shape. It's trying to get them more confidence."

After the match Olid reflected on progress and on the need to develop the attacking side of the team, saying: "I think the attacking will come," she said. "If you implement a new style of play, you need time. "That effort, that intensity, can never be missed. We deserved three points for the hard work and the effort. "Of course, we need to create more chances. That is why I'm here. We need time, but today is the minimum that we have to deliver. I hope we can improve the attacking side."

United remain a side that, while difficult to break down under predecessor Marc Skinner, has struggled in decisive matches; in three Women's FA Cup finals they won once against Tottenham and lost twice to Chelsea, and it has been four years since they won at the Emirates Stadium. The heavy loss to Chelsea last week underlined the gap to the league's elite and led to conversations within the club that prompted a temporary return to familiar defensive principles.

United's wait for a first Women's Super League win of the season therefore continues, and Olid said on Sky Sports: "We are a team who need to press high, but at the same time we want to be better with the ball," Olid said on Sky Sports. "We lose simple passes and we cannot recognise the free player. Those things need to improve. It will come, I'm sure. "But we need to keep this [defensive structure], then from there, little by little, be an attacking team, create more chances, score more goals. "I cannot pretend it's happening in four weeks, but I'm sure it will come."