And after that brief foray forward the away side retreat behind the ball. Alexis Sanchez toys with the idea of making a run down the left, but back it goes to the middle. 

Still pretty pedestrian in the early stages. 

Image source, Reuters

It's a lovely clipped ball over the Arsenal defence from Wayne Rooney - disguised as he shaped to turn - but Anthony Martial strayed just beyond the wrong side of the assistant referee's flag. Offside.

Back under way! No changes from either side at the break.

I've just seen another angle of that David de Gea stop from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. 

It wasn't a great shot to be fair, but it took a MASSIVE deflection on the way.

Brilliant save to react so quickly. But his one to deny Aaron Ramsey earlier was even better. Man of the match so far. 

Question. What does a middle battle look like in graphical form?

Answer below.

Richard Fridl: when I see Rooney in the line up a Mordor like dark cloud drops over my TV. Man Utd play with 10 men everytime he is on.

Muigai Moses: I think MUFC is playing with a handicap, Martial is isolated upfront & looks like Tuanzebe is not allowed to push forward.

Mark Schwarzer
Ex-Middlesbrough keeper on BBC Radio 5 live

Manchester United have done a good job in containing Arsenal and in frustrating them.

They have played a high enough line to congest the midfield area and Arsenal have not really got into the game.

Overall Jose Mourinho will be the happier manager.

Well apart from a few frantic flurries, this has been a bit of a snooze-fest. 

Will the half-time words of Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho transform this into a classic? 

At this stage I'd say there's very little danger of any pizza going flying later.

ONE minute added on. 

Kieran Gibbs with the stepovers on Axel Tuanzebe and Granit Xhaka claims his pass hit Michael Carrick's hands. The ref keeps his arms down.

Image source, Getty Images

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain runs the ball out of play down the right flank. Just crossed the line as he swung it back in. 

This feels like the last few minutes of a pre-season friendly.

I did say it needs a goal. 

Aaron Ramsey pings a cross in from the right that's fenced away by Phil Jones' toe.

Here he is again cutting out another Arsenal ball from the wings. He's looked solid today. 

Jonathan Pearce
Match of the Day commentator

I have heard more noise at Highgate cemetery on a Sunday afternoon, just up the road. That's a worrying thought.

He has had his critics since arriving last summer, but you can't fault Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka's distribution today. The Swiss has completed all of his 31 passes so far.

Image source, Opta

Just over FIVE to go before half-time. The game deserves a goal. It needs one too.

Akeju: Poor finishes or good goalkeeping? Either way, one of teams should have scored by now. 

Loser92: De Gea is in inspired form.

Gareth: Instead of bringing Rooney back to Manchester can someone just drop him to Heathrow and stick him on a flight to China.

Ouch... 

Well he's offside but can't pretend he knew it. 

Danny Welbeck swipes at thin air with an acrobatic scissor kick, latching on to a through ball over the top of Manchester United's deep backline.

Or was he? Replay looks tight.

Image source, Reuters

Jose Mourinho is off his seat cajoling his side into more action. They could be behind, they could be ahead. Both have had good chances now. We're back to where we started - fast, open football.

Image source, Getty Images

Alan Green
BBC Radio 5 live at Emirates Stadium

It is a good game - even without a goal. Arsenal are probably dominating possession and David de Gea has made a couple of good saves, but United are creating chances too.

End-to-end now, really open. Breathless as Manchester United steam clear up the pitch and Rob Holding almost sinks Arsenal into the depths of disaster. 

A terrible back pass - towards the keeper I think? - is in no-man's land. And Wayne Rooney is there to latch on to it. The Gunners are only saved by Petr Cech's brave, full-body stop. 

Image source, Reuters