Manchester United legend Patrice Evra wasted no time sending a message to all of Ruben Amorim’s players who played against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s men travelled away from home for their opening Premier League match of the 2025-26 campaign, with Manchester United facing a tough first test.
United started the opening 10 minutes against Arsenal in strong fashion, but the Red Devils were placed on the back foot at Old Trafford after conceding in the first half.
Riccardo Calafiori broke the deadlock in the 13th minute and the 23-year-old Italian defender’s close-range header would prove to be the difference-maker on the day.
Altay Bayindir flapped Declan Rice’s corner kick and the United shot-stopper subsequently pushed the ball in the direction of Riccardo Calafiori at the back post.
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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds at full-time with his players after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Patrice Evra shares a spine-tingling message with Man Utd players after the Premier League defeat to Arsenal
Despite Arsenal’s first-half opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford, the Red Devils continued to prove that they were a lively threat during Sunday’s defeat.
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Ruben Amorim’s men produced a strong showing against the Gunners in their opening match of the 2025-26 season, but United fell short of an equaliser.
Patrice Evra took to Instagram and the 44-year-old Frenchman was spotted in the comments of the Red Devils’ full-time post for the 1-0 Premier League defeat.
The United legend insisted that the Red Devils players should hold their ‘heads up’ and Evra was impressed with how they fought for the ball at every opportunity.
Responding to United’s Instagram post, Evra wrote: “Losing but head up everyone was running fighting for every ball really proud of this team thank you FOREVRA RED [sic].”
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra shared a message after the 1-0 Premier League defeat against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra shared a message after the 1-0 Premier League defeat against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
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Rio Ferdinand breaks down what he saw from Man Utd in the 1-0 Premier League loss to Arsenal at Old Trafford
Rio Ferdinand, much like former United teammate Evra, dropped his two cents on what he saw from the Red Devils’ performance against Arsenal on Sunday.
The 46-year-old United legend took to social media, formerly Twitter, and shared both the negatives and positives from the Red Devils’ first match of the new season.
Man Utd v Arsenal
Most dominate performance I’ve seen us play in long time vs a top team – despite losing
Positives:
A threat physically
Pace
Cunha & Mbuemo very lively
Have willing runners in possession and on transitions
Saw some patterns in possession that bode well for…
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) August 17, 2025
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Ferdinand’s praise included the physical threat that United showed on the pitch and the “very lively” displays of summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
However, the former United and England defender was deeply critical of Altay Bayindir after Arsenal scored a “cheap” opener – and later winner – in the match.