In a frustrating start to their season, Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim insisted his side can compete with any team in the Premier League, despite a narrow 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal. The only goal came from Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori, who capitalized on a costly mistake by United’s stand-in goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir.
Despite the loss, the Red Devils dominated possession with over 60% and unleashed 22 shots on goal. However, their new, expensive forward line—a trio of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and substitute Benjamin Sesko, collectively valued at over £200 million ($271 million)—was unable to break through the Premier League’s most formidable defense of the last two seasons.
Last season, United scored just 44 goals in 38 league games—fewer than all but four other teams—as they finished 15th, marking their worst campaign in 51 years. Yet, Amorim remained upbeat, arguing that the performance showed significant progress even if the result didn’t reflect it.
“We need to win games, but that was a completely different performance from last season,” the Portuguese coach said. “We were the better team. In the end, we lost the game, but I’m really proud of the performance. We proved today that we can win any game in the Premier League, even against a great team like Arsenal.”
Meanwhile, after finishing second for three consecutive seasons, the pressure is mounting on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to secure the club’s first league title since 2004. His team relied on its rock-solid defense and goalkeeper David Raya to snatch a crucial three points, with the attack struggling to make an impact.
“It’s a huge result,” Arteta admitted. “It’s the first game of the season at Old Trafford, and you can feel they are building something.”
He conceded that his team must perform much better to challenge title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City. “It certainly gives you momentum and confidence when you’re not at your best. Today, to be fair, we weren’t. The team has to find that resilience over nine or ten months of the season. We have to improve a lot of things, and that will happen very soon.”
The atmosphere at Old Trafford was lifted by the new arrivals, and most of the 75,000 fans left feeling encouraged by their team’s display. Cunha and Mbeumo caused early problems for Arsenal’s usually composed central defensive duo of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.
However, a critical error undid United. In the 13th minute, Bayindir, deputizing for the injured Andre Onana, feebly flapped at an inswinging corner from Declan Rice, leaving an open net for Calafiori to head the ball in.
Patrick Dorgu came closest to a United equalizer before halftime with a powerful long-range shot that struck the post. Both Mbeumo and Cunha had weak attempts easily saved by Raya, who also made a brilliant save to deflect another of Cunha’s shots across the goal.
Arsenal, who had pursued Sesko for over a year before opting for Viktor Gyokeres instead, saw the latter have a quiet Premier League debut before being substituted for Kai Havertz. Sesko entered the game moments later to a hero’s welcome after choosing the 20-time English champions over a move to Newcastle.
Despite United’s continued dominance in play, they failed to find the clinical finish needed. Raya made another expert save, clawing out a powerful header from Mbeumo.
Ultimately, Arsenal held on to keep pace with Liverpool and City, who both secured opening-weekend wins with four goals each.
