Ruben Amorim singled out two Manchester United players for the “most important thing” that he could take away from the Premier League match against Arsenal.
Manchester United finally returned to Premier League action for the first time since May, with the Red Devils finishing an abysmal 15th place in the 2024-25 campaign.
The Red Devils faced a tough test in their start to the 2025-26 Premier League season, with United hosting Arsenal at Old Trafford on the opening weekend.
United fell short to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon and the Gunners inflicted a 1-0 defeat on Ruben Amorim’s men, despite a strong showing from the Red Devils.
Riccardo Calafiori broke the deadlock in the first half for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta’s men maintained their lead to ensure they walked away with all three points.
Ruben Amorim’s immediate reaction to Man Utd’s Premier League performance vs Arsenal at Old Trafford
Manchester United were dealt a major blow in the 13th minute after Riccardo Calafiori netted for Arsenal, with Altay Bayindir at fault for the first-half opener.
Altay Bayindir palmed the ball into the path of Riccardo Calafiori after scrambling to clear a Declan Rice corner, with the Arsenal defender heading from close range.
Despite the early setback against the Gunners, United manager Amorim watched on from the Old Trafford sidelines as the Red Devils fought hard to find an equaliser.
Speaking after United’s 1-0 Premier League defeat, the 40-year-old former Sporting CP head coach argued that the Red Devils had come a long way since last season.
“We were more aggressive than last year,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“We sprint more. We were more brave. We let one against one [in] all [of] the game. We pressed high.
“And then with the ball, we have quality. Even when the stadium makes some sounds, we continue to play the way we play.”
Ruben Amorim singles out what Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo showed for Man Utd against Arsenal at Old Trafford
United summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were both handed their Premier League debuts for the Red Devils in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo started alongside Mason Mount in attack and the trio were lively in their interactions with one another on the pitch.
Ex-Brentford star Mbeumo and ex-Wolves ace Cunha played the full 90 minutes and Amorim talked up both of their meaningful presences on the pitch at Old Trafford.
“We lost fewer balls in the build-up, compared to last year, was [where] we struggled a lot,” Amorim continued.
“And then the small things that we talk about [at] the beginning of this season, that players like [Matheus] Cunha, like Bryan [Mbeumo], in one moment can elevate the stadium.
“So, I think the most important thing, we were not boring.”
United will now resume their new Premier League campaign on 24th June against Fulham at Craven Cottage, with kick-off planned for 4:30pm UK time.
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