United View: Positive signs despite defeat

After what many will hope to be a transformative summer for Manchester United, the Reds kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal. 

Ruben Amorim’s side looked much improved, although there was still plenty to be desired, and a goalkeeping mistake presents a concerning issue ahead of the season.

United finished 15th in the league last season, with the bulk of their issues stemming from a faltering front line, which prompted the club to spend big on bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško. 

Cunha and Mbeumo started the game and offered several exciting moments.

However, it was Arsenal who scored first, after Declan Rice’s corner targeted Altay Bayindir, who inadvertently palmed the ball towards his own goal before Riccardo Calafiori headed home.

This prompted the Gunners to sit deep, allowing United to pin them back for much of the remainder of the game, but they were unable to find a penetrating moment, thanks in part to several key stops from David Raya.

It will be frustrating for Ruben Amorim’s side, who must have felt they should have gotten more from this game, but overall, the team delivered a performance that will leave fans hopeful of what is yet to come this campaign.

There were positive displays from the back three of Luke Shaw, Mathijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro, along with Patrick Dorgu at left wing back, who struck the post in the first half. 

With the Reds looking as good as they did, losing to an avoidable error is even more frustrating.

Ruben Amorim saw the silver linings from this defeat, suggesting that his side will be able to beat anyone this season, but reacted furiously when accusations were made against his selection of Altay Bayindir.

In the post-match press conference, it was put towards the head coach that he could have opted for Tom Heaton instead of Altay Bayindir, who conceded a similar goal from a corner against Spurs in the League Cup last season.

Amorim responded with a look of blind fury in his eyes, saying the goal against Spurs would have been disallowed had there been VAR in this game, and commenting how the Turkish goalkeeper was ‘unbelievable’ in United’s victory over Arsenal in the FA Cup last season.

He would later go on to claim he is happy with the three goalkeepers he currently has, although a failed loan move for Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez and enquiries about PSG’s out-of-favour Gianluigi Donnarumma would suggest otherwise.

Andre Onana completed three training sessions in the week leading up to Sunday’s opening fixture against Arsenal but was omitted from the squad. 

The Cameroon international sustained a hamstring injury that kept him out of the entirety of pre-season.

With only a couple of weeks left in the transfer window, United will need to be quick if they are to move for a new keeper. 

It can’t be overlooked that the importance of a reliable person between the sticks can have on where United end up this season.

Whilst it was a disappointing start to the season, it seems that United will be a more threatening side this time around, one that will only become more fluid as the players become more adjusted to one another.

However, despite the obvious improvement, Ruben Amorim’s side will need to start picking up wins sooner rather than later to build momentum. 

They next travel to Fulham, who are also looking for their first win of the season following a one-all draw with Brighton.`