Although it was the first day of the season and the beginning of a long journey, the sight at Old Trafford following Manchester United’s loss to Arsenal revealed a deeper meaning.
Leny Yoro, Mathijs de Ligt, and Matheus Cunha collapsed to the grass and sat there in exasperation. Amad and Bruno Fernandes fell on their haunches. Both Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo put their hands on their knees and gasped for breath.
Ruben Amorim later criticized questioners in the press conference room who wanted to know why he chose Altay Bayindir over Andre Onana or even Tom Heaton. Amorim is attempting to avoid giving away too much about himself or his strategies to the public this campaign, but after a game that he believed his team should have won, he was unable to control his emotions.
The way Amorim supported Bayindir, calling him “unbelievable” in the FA Cup victory against Arsenal last season, was reminiscent of Sir Alex Ferguson’s ardent defense of Juan Sebastian Veron. The same camaraderie, but a different era and player standard.
Even though United’s management is aware that this season is a fresh start following their 15th-place finish from the previous campaign and that this game was not going to be decisive in May, Amorim’s ferocity and his players’ dejection demonstrate that they believed Arsenal was theirs to take, and a win could have stoked the optimism that had been building throughout preseason.
“Today, we demonstrate that we are capable of winning any Premier League match,” Amorim stated. “We were the superior team, especially when playing against a top-tier team like Arsenal.“
The performance was well received by those in United’s leadership, particularly the contributions of Cunha and Mbeumo, the two summer acquisitions who have settled well. They played this competition with a lot of passion, skill, and intent.
David Raya’s seven saves, the most by a Premier League goalkeeper this weekend, and United’s 22 shots, their most in a Premier League game against Arsenal since they managed 25 in the 8-2 victory in August 2011, showed the intensity of the action. Nevertheless, for the 12th time in Amorim’s 43-game career, United lost and failed to score. That familiarity hurts and keeps worries alive.
However, if United can put up performances like that in the next 37 Premier League games, they will have a good chance of achieving their stated goal of qualifying for Europe.
They played with greater emotion in their Premier League opening, as Amorim had stated in Chicago. High up, they harassed Arsenal, especially after Cunha stole the ball from Raya and went down without a penalty. Mbeumo continued to run hard in the third minute of extra time, nicking the ball and winning a foul by stealing on Miles Lewis-Skelly’s blind side.
After Mason Mount’s deft ball to Declan Rice, Cunha found room in the box to screw a shot into the bottom corner, drawing Raya’s finest save. Raya did a fantastic job. When Cunha did not follow in for a tap-in, he sat on the turf and flapped his arms.
The other huge chance for United went to Mbeumo, who cleverly found space from Cunha’s tee-up to head down for Patrick Dorgu’s cross. Raya palmed the ball away since it wasn’t quite in the corner.
It was clear how wise it was to get two Premier League-savvy players; they looked at home and, more importantly, thrived in a stadium the size of Old Trafford right away.
Despite playing center-forward, Cunha frequently dropped to catch the ball. He once got past five Arsenal players to advance, but he was tamely finished. Another time, he turned around Ben White and ran off after hitting a backheel touch to a high ball. He shrugged off the Arsenal defender to feed Mbeumo, who took too long to get his shot off.
At another moment, Mbeumo displayed his flair by trying an overhead kick in the box.
But beyond the particular genius, there was design. As he used to do for Brentford, United attempted to get Mbeumo the ball on the corner of the area so he could whip in risky crosses. When Cunha, Fernandes, Dorgu, and Mount were all lined up and ready in the first half, he had one, but he didn’t hit it hard enough. Later, he had another chance, but this time he threw the ball too far, forcing Raya to make a catch while Mount tried to make contact acrobatically.
The debutants were not solely responsible. Shaw should have received more recognition for his skill and guile at center-back. Later, he scampered past his opponent to release Cunha down the line after hitting a crossfield pass that reached Mbeumo in space. Mount hit passes that enabled assaults were made to Mbeumo, Dorgu, and Diogo Dalot. Additionally, he pursued and subdued Bukayo Saka.
Last season’s problems with ball retention were greatly improved by United’s ability to pin Arsenal back in the second half. Everyone’s comfort level with the ball was the reason for that.
To the delight of United supporters, who taunted Arsenal’s new striker when his number was called for substitution, De Ligt devoured anything that was thrown in the air to Viktor Gyokeres.
Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, and Martin Zubimendi did not overrun Fernandes and Casemiro. It’s debatable, though, how much that should influence United’s decision to acquire a new number six after determining that Carlos Baleba of Brighton will be too costly this transfer window. Because Arsenal’s strategy was likely altered by Riccardo Califiori’s goal. They sat deep and were happy.
Amorim’s decision to start Manuel Ugarte off the bench rather than Kobbie Mainoo is not inconsequential under the current situation.
Really, the difference was the goalkeepers. Only Calafiori’s nod in on the line prevented an own goal after Bayindir palmed Rice’s corner backwards.
Amorim later wore a disbelieving expression when Heaton, 39, was suggested as a good substitute after Bayindir gave up a goal similar to that at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup the previous season.
“Not using VAR,” Amorim said. “It is a foul with VAR. What transpired in the subsequent game, then? Arsenal. Who kept the entire game intact? Consequently, I weigh all the options and decide on Altay.
The head coach of United also decided not to include Onana. According to him, Onana had intended to play after finishing three complete practices over the week, but the decision was made primarily on selection rather than fitness. When questioned, Amorim stated that he was satisfied with United’s three goalkeepers; yet, the loan bid for Emi Martinez earlier this summer suggests a different perspective.
To be fair, Sesko missed United’s preseason and was only allowed to make his debut in the last twenty-five minutes. Sesko came as near as a glanced header to a Fernandes cross.
United should make good improvement this season, but not much more if this is the team that remains beyond the deadline in two weeks.
(Top photo: Ash Donelon/Getty Images)
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