Man Utd: Have Eva Olid's WSL side shown signs of progress?

A week ago, the picture for Manchester United looked a lot bleaker than it did at the full-time whistle on Saturday.

Regardless of the stoppage-time equaliser they conceded at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, United's performance marked a major sign of progress.

Defeats in their opening two matches, including a 5-0 thrashing by Chelsea, meant the list of questions for new manager Eva Olid seemed endless.

United were disorganised, lacking in identity and were wide open at the back as their new era under Olid began in disappointing fashion.

Those early displays did little to fill supporters with confidence, and Olid faced criticism for her decisions despite being in the job just a matter of weeks.

However, a gutsy defensive display against Arsenal delivered a well-earned 1-1 draw and they were only denied victory by a 95th-minute leveller.

While United's wait for a first Women's Super League win of the season continues, this performance suggested there may not be quite the cause for concern many suspected.

Arsenal earn point with late leveller against Man Utd

Find interviews and extra content on the BBC Women's Football Weekly feed

Olid, 41, took over as manager in the summer, joining from Hearts, and promised to implement a new attacking style of play that focused heavily on possession.

However, in their opening two games, United had just two shots on target and less than 40% possession in both matches. In the second of those games, they suffered the five-goal humbling at home by Chelsea.

Few expected them to come away with anything against an Arsenal team who many tipped to win the title before the season kicked off, albeit they have struggled to score goals efficiently.

Olid knew it would be a test but said on Friday she wanted her players to believe in themselves, show confidence, and to go back to the defensive roots they knew and built so well under her predecessor Marc Skinner.

"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."

Olid ultimately wants her United team to dominate the ball and create more chances in front of goal, but this time they delivered on her plea to be defensively solid.

They looked well organised in an even first half in which United midfielder Simi Awujo stood out, while Andrea Medina tracked back effectively.

They won more duels than Arsenal, put in more tackles and completed more interceptions than their opponents - but still had 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."

Arsenal's pressure grew in an edgy second half, but United held on for as long as they could and were unfortunate to concede with seconds left on the clock.

They had led from midway through the half, after Julia Zigiotti seized on a mistake from Georgia Stanway.

Smilla Holmberg's late volley denied United the spoils, but Olid saw foundations she could build on.

"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."

The biggest question is whether United really can build on this performance.

They were already a difficult team to break down under Skinner but came up short in previous big games against WSL title rivals.

In three Women's FA Cup finals, United won once against Tottenham, falling to higher-placed Chelsea on the other two occasions.

Four years have passed since they won a game at Emirates Stadium against Arsenal, and their heavy defeat by Chelsea last week showed the gap to the elite still remains.

Olid was brought in to transform their style by implementing an attacking philosophy that the club hope will deliver them long-term success.

Patience was already beginning to wane after their demoralising early defeats, so conversations took place and they had to revert back to what they already knew.

The result of that is significant progress from last week, but is it progress for the long term?

"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."