MANCHESTER: Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim said the context of his side’s 1-0 defeat in their Premier League opener to Arsenal was “completely different” to the Red Devils torrid 2024/25 season, even if the scoreline at Old Trafford told a familiar story.

United have invested £200 million into transforming their forward line after scoring just 44 times in 38 league games last season.

Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and substitute Benjamin Sesko made their debuts but failed to find a way past the Gunners’ disciplined defence.

The game was decided by a tale of the two goalkeepers.

United stand-in stopper Altay Bayindir was at fault for the only goal, scored by Riccardo Calafiori.

At the other end, David Raya stood strong to prevent Mbeumo and Cunha making scoring starts to their United career.

“We have players to win any game in the Premier League,” said Amorim, flashing a rare smile after the scowl he wore for most of last season. “We were more aggressive than last year. We went one against one all the game and we pressed high. We had quality with the ball..

“We did a lot things right. We were more aggressive and brave. In certain moments I think Bryan and Cunha helped a lot. We stuck to the plan even when the stadium was nervous, we continued to play the way we played and that will help us in the future.

“[The fans] want that feeling again. We go to Old Trafford and we are not going to get bored. We need to win more than last season but they want to see something and feel something.”

United also looked more composed defensively than last term, but the error from their Turkish keeper begged the question about that position in Amorim’s team.

Bayindir was selected ahead of usual starter Andre Onana, who has had only three training sessions after recovering from injury.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2025