Manchester United's turbulent start to the Women's Super League season showed encouraging signs of recovery on Saturday, as a resilient defensive display earned new manager Eva Olid's side a 1-1 draw away at Arsenal, despite conceding an equaliser deep into stoppage time.The result means United remain without a win this campaign, but the performance at the Emirates Stadium offered a marked contrast to the alarming displays that opened their season, including a chastening 5-0 defeat at home to Chelsea. Those early setbacks had raised serious concerns about United's identity and defensive structure under Olid, who arrived in the summer from Hearts with ambitions of instilling a possession-based, attacking approach.In their first two league outings, United had managed just two shots on target combined and failed to reach 40% possession in either game. The heavy loss to Chelsea intensified scrutiny on Olid just weeks into her tenure, with question marks growing over her tactical approach.Facing an Arsenal side many had considered pre-season title contenders, expectations for United were modest. Yet Olid's players delivered a disciplined, well-organised showing built around the defensive principles established under her predecessor, Marc Skinner. United took the lead midway through the second half when Julia Zigiotti capitalised on an error from Georgia Stanway, and they held that advantage until Smilla Holmberg's stoppage-time volley denied them a first win of the season.Despite retaining only around 40% of possession, United outperformed Arsenal in several defensive metrics, winning more duels, making more tackles and completing more interceptions. Midfielder Simi Awujo was praised for her energy and influence, while Andrea Medina was credited for her tracking back throughout the contest.Speaking before the match, Olid acknowledged the difficulty of the week following the Chelsea defeat.