Manchester United’s Premier League opener ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, yet manager Ruben Amorim chose to highlight the spirit of his team rather than the scoreline. The Portuguese coach insisted his players showed bravery and attacking intent, describing the performance as far removed from the “boring” football of last season.
United’s summer signings played a key role in that impression, with forwards Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo combining for nine of the hosts’ 22 shots on goal. Substitute Benjamin Sesko also tested Arsenal’s defense, but Gunners goalkeeper David Raya produced seven saves to preserve a clean sheet. The only difference came from Riccardo Calafiori’s strike, gifted after an error by United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.
Despite the defeat, Amorim stressed the importance of progress. “The most important thing is we weren’t boring,” he told reporters. “We were braver, more aggressive, and pressed higher than last year. The performance deserved more, but we must now focus on turning this into victories.” The manager added that his side looked more confident in possession, even when under pressure from the Old Trafford crowd.
Former United captain Roy Keane, however, was unimpressed by what he felt was an acceptance of mediocrity. Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane argued that the club’s expectations had fallen too low. “The fact people are satisfied with a 1-0 defeat tells you everything,” he said. “Yes, the new signings showed some promise, but the result is the same, no goals and another loss. That’s still a major problem.”
Gary Neville, in contrast, struck a more positive note. He believed United were the stronger side over 90 minutes, singling out Cunha and Mbeumo for their influence. “They showed they can handle the pressure of Old Trafford against a top opponent,” Neville said. “The system looked sharper, the midfield stood its ground, and overall the team was the better side, even if Arsenal’s resilience carried the day.”
