Mbeumo and Cunha Shine Bright in Man Utd's Narrow 1-0 Loss to Arsenal
Manchester United's 2025–26 Premier League campaign began with the most disappointing result imaginable—yet Ruben Amorim will extract numerous encouraging signs from his team's 1-0 loss to Arsenal at Old Trafford.
United struggled to their poorest Premier League era finish last term, failing to recover from a catastrophic beginning that ended Erik ten Hag's managerial tenure and brought Amorim in following his outstanding achievements in Portugal with Sporting CP.
Summer acquisitions have been completed to tackle the club's problems, though there remains business to conduct regarding player departures—accomplishing this could enable additional reinforcements, particularly in central midfield if circumstances permit.
In this match, Arsenal entered as favorites to secure all three points, and they achieved their objective through Riccardo Calafiori's 13th-minute strike. However, the team that finished second in the previous three Premier League campaigns didn't establish the control in a fixture United will believe they dominated for significant periods.
The primary encouragement for United came from the performances of their new acquisitions Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha—both represent substantial improvements over what Amorim had available last season and should contribute significantly in the upcoming weeks and months.
Old Trafford Roar Welcomes New Season
Following a respectfully observed moment of silence to honor former Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva after their tragic passing in early July, Old Trafford erupted back to life when Simon Hooper sounded his whistle—the anticipation tangible as 70,000 home fans prepared to welcome their first complete season under Ruben Amorim.
The supporters would have been thrilled with the opening moments they witnessed. United displayed energy, applying high pressure as Mbeumo and Cunha attempted to create problems, with the former testing David Raya's goal after merely six minutes. The Spanish keeper remained composed throughout, as Mbeumo's low attempt from a tight angle went directly at him.
Dorgu subsequently fired wide from range before Mount embodied the Old Trafford atmosphere, expertly dispossessing Bukayo Saka and forcing a throw-in.
This made it even more frustrating when United succumbed to Arsenal's primary weapon of set pieces. Declan Rice delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the six-yard area where Saliba battled strongly against Bayındır while also contending with Matthijs de Ligt. The outcome was a weak deflection off Bayındır's glove as he tried to punch clear, allowing the ball to drop to Calafiori who converted from close range.
Mbeumo, Cunha Show Plenty of Promise
Arsenal found their groove shortly afterward, but United, still supported by an enthusiastic crowd, maintained a constant threat and created several excellent opportunities to equalize. Dorgu charged down the left flank at speed, capitalizing on the space vacated by the advancing Ben White, and he unleashed a thunderous low shot that struck the outside of Raya's post.
Cunha then powered forward against Arsenal's defense, breaking through centrally with a marauding run that made him renowned at Wolves. The 26-year-old couldn't find a route past Raya either, watching his low effort gathered comfortably, and he was thwarted by the former Brentford shot-stopper again shortly after—an excellent fingertip intervention as Cunha struck from a narrow angle maintained Arsenal's lead.
At the interval, Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard informed Sky Sports that proceedings had been "a bit too hectic" for the aspiring Premier League title contenders. It wasn't especially shocking that matters became more controlled after the restart—Mbeumo and Cunha had demonstrated genuine danger in the first half.
Amad substituted for Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte came on for Casemiro and Šeško entered for his debut with 25 minutes left, replacing Mount while permitting Cunha to retreat into a deeper position.
The crowd's enthusiasm increased following Šeško's arrival, but it was Mbeumo who prompted another diving save from Raya—the Cameroon international outpacing Arsenal substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly to direct a header goalward, only to witness Raya's hands guide the ball to safety.
Šeško had one innocuous attempt that sailed wide, but Arsenal's celebrated defensive duo of Saliba and Gabriel restored order—the pair doing sufficient to neutralize United's attacking threat, alongside player of the match Raya, to claim valuable three points for north London.
Man Utd Player Ratings vs. Arsenal (3-4-2-1)
*Ratings provided by FotMob
Player | Rating Out of 10 |
|---|---|
GK: Altay Bayındır | 5.7 |
CB: Leny Yoro | 7.4 |
CB: Matthijs de Ligt | 7.3 |
CB: Luke Shaw | 7.1 |
RWB: Diogo Dalot | 6.7 |
CM: Bruno Fernandes (c) | 7.7 |
CM: Casemiro | 7.1 |
LWB: Patrick Dorgu | 7.2 |
AM: Bryan Mbeumo | 6.8 |
AM: Mason Mount | 6.6 |
CF: Matheus Cunha | 6.7 |
SUB: Amad Diallo (55' for Dalot) | 7.3 |
SUB: Manuel Ugarte (65' for Casemiro) | 6.3 |
SUB: Benjamin Šeško (65' for Mount) | 6.3 |
SUB: Harry Maguire (80' for Shaw) | 5.9 |
Subs not used: Tom Heaton (GK), Ayden Heaven, Tyler Fredricson, Kobbie Mainoo, Joshua Zirkzee.
Man Utd's Player of the Match: Bruno Fernandes
Player of the Match: David Raya
Arsenal (4-3-3): David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori; Martin Odegaard, Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyökeres, Gabriel Martinelli.
Subs: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke.