(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

Bryan Mbeumo shares three-word response to Matheus Cunha’s message after Man United defeat

Jonathan Burnett

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

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Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo's impressive Manchester United debuts proved to be in vain against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Manchester United's season began with a 1-0 defeat on home turf despite a solid display from Ruben Amorim's new-look side, with more shots, possession and chances created than Arsenal could manage.

Altay Batyindir's error was costly for Amorim's side after he failed to get a convincing connection on a punch from an Arsenal corner early on, giving Riccardo Calafiori the simplest of finishes at the far post.

Calafiori's 13th-minute header proved to be the decisive goal at Old Trafford as an off-colour Arsenal returned to North London with three points, after repelling wave after wave of Man United attacks.

Ruben Amorim looks towards the Man United crowd
Ruben Amorim's poor Premier League record continues into a second season (Credit: Imago)

Cunha rallies Man United after Arsenal defeat – 'Just the beginning'

Amorim gave competitive Red Devils debuts to all three of this summer's headline signings, as Cunha and Mbeumo started up front with Mason Mount as Benjamin Sesko was introduced in the second half.

The starting trio's direct running and dynamic rotations caused Arsenal several problems, with Mbeumo and Cunha firing off nine shots between them across the 90 minutes and amassing 0.82 xG [FotMob].

Cunha moved to Man United from Wolves for £62.5million back in June, and posted on Instagram after Sunday's match with a message to mark his debut, saying: "We deserved so much more!

"What an honour to debut in this environment. We will continue to improve. It’s just the beginning".

Fellow debutant Mbeumo reflected Cunha's sentiment, saying: "For sure bro".

Man United weaknesses laid bare after Arsenal loss

Football Insider Verdict

Amorim's all-new frontline of Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko is expected to take shape and hit the ground running as soon as possible, but Man United's summer business has highlighted other deficiencies.

The Red Devils' focus on the front end of Amorim's team has exposed frailties further back, none more so than between the sticks after Bayindir's disastrous attempt to clear a corner resulted in the winner.

Man United remain in the race for Gianluigi Donnarumma despite Man City's emergence as a possible destination for the Italian, but if there's one area in which the Red Devils need improvement, it's the one which could be solved by signing PSG's number one.

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