Manchester United Give Fans Reasons to Believe in Narrow Defeat to Arsenal

The Premier League's opening weekend marquee matchup lived up to the hype as Manchester United fell 1-0 to Arsenal at home in a game that saw the Red Devils display an improved performance.

Arsenal's set-piece prowess was on full display just 13 minutes into the match. A Declan Rice corner caused chaos in the United box, with William Saliba challenging Altay Bayindir, allowing Ricardo Calafiori to poke home the opener.

Questions remained about the legality of Saliba's contact with the goalkeeper, but the goal stood. While the early setback might have been discouraging, United showed promising signs under Ruben Amorim. They maintained possession and built play from the back, albeit not always smoothly, but with clear intent.

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A Patrick Dorgu shot off the post around the half-hour mark and two threatening runs from Matheus Cunha, the second forcing a strong save from David Raya and the first seeing his path to goal blocked by Saliba, were particular highlights.

This improved performance was a recurring theme throughout the 90 minutes. This Manchester United side looked considerably better than last season's iteration.

While there were moments in 2024-25 where they may have surpassed the quality shown in this match, there was a clear structure to their play, a positive reaction to going behind, and, when unable to build patiently, which was more common in the first half, they were effective on the counter-attack. Amorim's side finished with 22 shots, 13 more than their opponents, with seven on target compared to Arsenal's four, while also enjoying 61% possession.

However, it wouldn't be entirely accurate to say the defeat was undeserved. Arsenal's defence proved to be relentless. Even in a less familiar, more reactive position, playing on the clock and looking to see out the match, they consistently dealt with the Red Devils' attacks, with Calafiori and Saliba, arguably the man of the match, making crucial interventions.

And when the defence was breached, Raya was there to deny United, with a superb save from Cunha in the first half and another from a Bryan Mbeumo header in the second. The Gunners still had their late chances. Bukayo Saka's shot was blocked by De Ligt, who looked back to his best since arriving in Manchester, and another Saka cross just evaded Jurien Timber at the far post, thanks to a last-ditch interception from Bruno Fernandes.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between, and although Raya was the busier keeper, he wasn't seriously tested outside of the two aforementioned saves. Amorim can take positives from the team's response to conceding, Cunha's energetic display as the most determined of United's forwards, and De Ligt's return to form.

However, the apparent need for a more defensive-minded midfielder remains. As for Arsenal, they were made to work for it, but with a defence that solid, it's hard to claim injustice. Still, there are improvements to be made if Mikel Arteta wants to guide this team to the title.

Both Man United and Arsenal's big-money strikers made their debuts, and neither had a particularly impactful performance. Benjamin Sesko replaced Mason Mount after 65 minutes but struggled to make an impression.

Viktor Gyokeres started, came off after 60 minutes, and failed to register a single shot. He even had a comical moment in the 52nd minute, stumbling over the ball when one-on-one with De Ligt. A somewhat underwhelming individual debut for the former Sporting player, but undoubtedly a happy one collectively as he left Old Trafford with all three points.