Manchester United may have lost 1-0 to Arsenal at Old Trafford, but there were signs of promise for manager Ruben Amorim as his side showed attacking intent and energy throughout the encounter.
Unlike some of last season’s flat displays, United played with pace and purpose, troubling the Gunners with sharp bursts in attack. New arrivals Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo stood out, maintaining the form that made them Premier League threats last season.
Cunha, in particular, proved a handful, ranking top for dribbles (6) and duels contested (20). Mbeumo also impressed, offering direct running and movement despite being closely marked for much of the game. Amorim finally appears to have players in central areas who can inject chaos and unpredictability into United’s forward play.
While the Red Devils failed to find the net, an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.59 showed they were good value for at least a goal. For United fans, the result was disappointing, but the performance suggested that Old Trafford could become a far more difficult ground for visiting teams this season.
