The main criticism directed towards Arsenal this season has concerned their lack of ruthlessness and their decision-making in the final third. It was no different here.
United were there for the taking, having endured two poor performances to start their campaign, and Arsenal needed to strike while they were vulnerable.
Instead, they allowed their opponents to grow in confidence as Arsenal's attacking play grew stale and predictable.
Leah Williamson's vision from the back opened up United on occasions, and Olivia Smith was busy down the right wing, but Arsenal were largely toothless and were almost made to pay for it.
They relied on a late equaliser to save a point, but this is a result that leaves them trailing leaders Manchester City by four points after just three games of the season.
"Like you say, it's round three in the WSL. There's a lot of games left to play so let's see in May how it ends, but we can only look at ourselves," said manager Renee Slegers.
"If I look at the last two games, not turning that dominance into goals and wins, is something we have to look at. We believe in the quality of the squad and their ideas.
"We can create in a variety of ways. When that starts clicking, it will be really good. It really is about the details in the final third.
"It's not ideal, it's not what we wanted at all to have four lost points, and Manchester City are the only ones with nine points so far."
Pressure will build as their Women's Champions League campaign begins and they travel to Stamford Bridge next Sunday for a feisty London derby against Chelsea in the WSL.