Manchester United fell in their Premier League opener at home on Sunday. The Reds lost 1-0 to Arsenal, conceding sloppily on a corner in the 13th minute and failing to produce on numerous ventures forward in the following 80+ minutes of action. It was the kind of loss that leaves you tempted to say United deserved much, much more from the match. However, the side looked as it is: a team in transition with newcomers still getting used to each other.
United opened the match looking the more ambitious team, and that is certainly how the match played out. Unfortunately for them, they’d be chasing to catch up for much of the game thanks to a costly error by placeholder goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who whiffed on a corner that fell for Riccardo Calafiori to score one of the most straightforward goals of his life.
That one moment gave Arsenal 0.75 xG from set pieces for the match, and it was all they needed. to get three points.
Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha got the start up front alongside Mason Mount, and both created positive moments in the first half. Mbeumo showcased his skill out wide while Cunha demonstrated his ability to create something from nothing. The latter picked up their first shot on target by dribbling, albeit a bit luckily, through the heart of the Arsenal defense to power in behind and fire low. David Raya made one of a few good saves on the day to deny the Brazilian a dream start at his new home.
The attacking ambition continued into the second half, but the most clear cut efforts were very hard-earned. Bryan Mbeumo saw a glancing header saved by Raya and a knockdown by Sesko was cleared before anyone could get to it.
There was a penalty shout as a ball into Cunha was interrupted by William Saliba charging in from behind. The contact was deemed inconsequential by the referee and play never stopped for the VAR to review the challenge, but fans certainly felt they’d seen enough in real time.
The game really started to feel out of reach in the later stages. Despite the addition of Sesko and Harry Maguire to provide some targets in the box, United struggled to sustain possession, thanks in part to the disastrous cameo of Manuel Ugarte. It was fitting he had one of the final chances of the 90 minutes, sending a strike from about 20 yards out far wide with the accuracy of a stormtrooper.
And with that, the season is underway with a defeat.
The Reds have away trips to Fulham in the league and Grismby in the League Cup before returning to Old Trafford to face Burnley just before the international break. After that, the schedule picks up again with a trip to face Manchester City and a visit from Chelsea in consecutive weeks.
Ruben Amorim needs to get some results quickly or face similar pressure as his predecessor a year ago.
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