Ruben Amorim will be frustrated at Manchester United’s result against Arsenal, but not his players’ performance.
A 1-0 defeat to Arsenal was not the start to the season that Manchester United were looking for, yet the mood around the 2025/26 season is still high.
That is because the Red Devils put on an excellent performance at Old Trafford and were extremely unlucky to leave with no points on the board.
New signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were excellent on their league debuts, while Benjamin Sesko showed promise in his 25-minute cameo.
It was a performance that fans could get behind, and Ruben Amorim’s assessment after the full-time whistle shows he saw progress too.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim saw ‘intensity’ in Man United’s performance
Amorim praised his new signings against Arsenal for their positive impact on the performance, but ultimately, there were strong displays across the entire squad.
In his post-match comments to BBC Sport, Amorim said: “It was really hard because I think we showed that we were the better team today. We played better than Arsenal.
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“I am proud of the players. I said so many times that the players need to adapt.
“Intensity, the way they are sprinting. They fought for every duel. They were so brave playing one against one. They were really brave, and I am happy with that.”
In particular, Amorim was eager to point out United’s “intensity”, and that is a word that fans are used to hearing from the Portuguese head coach.
Ruben Amorim wants Man United to be most intense team in the world
Heading into the summer transfer window, reports suggested Amorim wanted signings that added “intensity” and in Cunha and Mbeumo it seems that has been achieved.
Last season, Amorim pointed out that his side were often outran and outfought by more physical opponents. This time it was United who were on top.
During pre-season, Diogo Dalot explained that Amorim wants United to be the most intense team in the world, and Sunday’s performance was a strong step towards that.
United pressed and hurried Arsenal’s defence at every opportunity, and bravely left defenders one-vs-one in the backline.
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim just managed what no Man Utd XI has done vs Arsenal since famous 8-2 victory, but it’s not enough
The likes of Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes and Patrick Dorgu covered an incredible amount of ground to join the attack and defence.
Gameweek one ended in defeat for United, but there was plenty to like about the performance.