Manchester United lost the Premier League opener to Arsenal, but the performance provided reason to feel encouraged.
Despite failing to score and losing 1-0 to Arsenal, Manchester United fans left Old Trafford with a cautious sense of optimism.
The display was defensively impressive aside from the set piece goal conceded, and from an attacking perspective, United attempted 22 shots at goal and were unlucky not to score.
New signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha were at the heart of everything, making a strong early impression.
Two former Manchester United teammates, Gary Neville and Tim Howard, have been discussing the season opener and the reaction to it.
Matheus Cunha is congratulated by teammates Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot after scoring a penalty kick in the penalty shootout during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and ACF Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 09, 2025
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Manchester United fan faith stood out
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard was at Old Trafford for the game, and despite the disappointing result, he was left with a positive vibe.
Howard was most taken aback with what he saw from Manchester United fans, even though he is familiar with their passion and never-ending support.
Speaking to his new Unfiltered Soccer podcast, Howard said: “United fans always back their team. People say that a lot, and they say, ‘well, what does that mean?’
More United News
“After the game they lost 1-0, the ovation that United team got walking off the field, and then subsequently for minutes after, was special.
“At United they support the team first and complain second.”
Former Red Devils captain Gary Neville was a guest on the podcast and gave his perspective, commenting on how Manchester United fans have backed Ruben Amorim throughout his reign, despite woeful results.
Neville explained: “I think there are quite a few clubs in English football [that] are similar, but United fans, particularly with the managers.
“Amorim has struggled to win games since he’s come in, but they sing his name constantly throughout the whole match. They believe in him.”
“At the end of the game on Sunday, a lot of them stayed behind and clapped the team and sort of supported them.”
Gary Neville says Ruben Amorim’s United provide hope
Gary Neville added that in his view, one of the main reasons Manchester United fans were so enthused by the performance was the exciting attacking football on display.
United attacked as a team, and Matheus Cunha pulled out a handful of ‘wow’ moments that had the crowd on their feet.
Neville said: “The one thing I think, with United fans, Tim and you know this as well, I think they can win, they can draw, and they can lose, but they can’t be bored.
“And actually, interestingly, saw Amorim the other day say after the game that ‘it wasn’t boring’.
“And I’m not quite sure whether that’s an achievement, but he’s at Manchester United, it is important that they [the fans] can’t be bored.”
Neville had compared the performance to those served up by previous managers, without naming any names, he pointed out that even when they managed to win games, it was often very unconvincing.
He said: “I think performance matters. You know, when they were winning sometimes these games, in the last few years, they were playing smash and grab, defending deep counter attack, win the game, 1-0, 2-1, and we win that game.
“But you really knew deep down, that’s the only way United could win that game, whereas if they carry on playing like they did on Sunday, I think they’ll win a lot of football matches.”
Neville’s comments could be directed towards Erik ten Hag, or at times Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. While a different accusation of ‘boring football’ could be levelled at predecessors Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.
David Moyes had the worst combination of dull football and poor results, a major departure from Sir Alex Ferguson’s winning, entertaining football.
Ruben Amorim may be on his way to delivering exciting football. Now he just needs the results to match.