Manchester United suffered a first loss under new head coach Ruben Amorim, losing 2-0 away to Arsenal.
Ruben Amorim had a tough assignment. Asked to get a result at a stadium where Manchester United had not won a league game since 2017, the Red Devils came up short.
The 2-0 defeat came from two set piece goals, which made the loss frustrating because they could have been avoidable.
But there were positives to United’s performance, including a first competitive appearance for centre-back Leny Yoro, following his return from injury.
United stars who impressed
Former Manchester United prospect Danny Webber was quizzed post-match on MUTV, asked if any of the players impressed him.
Webber picked out five, Andre Onana, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount.
He explained: “I thought we were solid, I really did. I thought Harry [Maguire] came in and was solid. I felt we defended really well.
“I thought Malacia, bearing in mind he’d come in and he’s been out for a while, Bodo/Glimt was his first game back, and he looked a bit rusty, I thought his 45 minutes was strong, and he kept Saka quiet.
“Ugarte, he’s like a tiger in the middle of the park. Just goes about his business. Mason Mount as well, high up, he put a good shift in.
“I think collectively, I thought first half we were okay, barring the goal, and second half, it was just moments of not concentrating, or lack of being street wise.”
He added of the goalkeeper: “Onana, the corners were put right on him. He was punching him away. He was really solid.
“And then two saves he made in the second half, especially the one from Saka, were really good.”
Manuel Ugarte was the top rated performer in our player ratings, scoring a 8/10 for his performance, that saw him win nine duels in total.
It is positive to hear praise for Tyrell Malacia, making his first Premier League appearance in 18 months.
United can learn from errors
United have to watch the set pieces back and look at ways to execute better. But you also have to give credit to Arsenal, who took such dangerous in-swinging corners.
The team were also not stringent enough in trying to avoid giving away the corners in the first place.
Former United defender Wes Brown added: “We also have to adjust you know they’re putting in such good corners the balls into the box, they were very good.
“Right under Onana’s net. There wasn’t really any fouls, it’s this blocking going on, but they’re not really fouling. So you have to be careful. You have to know what’s about you.”
United return to action on Saturday against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, who were defeated 3-0 by Manchester City.
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