(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media)

Phil Spencer

Sun 17 August 2025 21:00, UK

Manchester United showed clear signs of improvement despite falling to a 1-0 defeat against Arsenal in their Premier League opener.

A first half header from Riccardo Calafiori following an error from Altay Bayindir was enough to give Mikel Arteta’s side the lead at Old Trafford on Sunday.

That result condemned the Red Devils to defeat and ensured that Ruben Amorim’s torrid start to life in Manchester continued.

According to Opta, Amorim has now lost 15 of his 28 Premier League games in charge of Man United, winning seven and drawing six.

This is the fastest that a manager has reached 15 defeats in the competition without taking charge of a newly promoted team in that period since Paul Hart with Portsmouth in 2009 (27 games).

Man United’s defeat came with a silver lining

Losing another Premier League match is not a good look for Amorim, but that doesn’t tell the whole story of the day.

Man United enjoyed 61 per cent possession, 22 shots and seven shots on target against Arsenal who managed just nine shots and three on target.

The Red Devils also managed 395 successful passes – almost twice as many as the Gunners – while also boasting a better xG of 1.59.

There were also some very encouraging displays from players such as Patrick Dorgu, Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo, not to mention new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha who certainly gave supporters a lift.

But while some of the omens were good, it’s a game of results and that is what Amorim will worry about.

Amorim faces a race against time to get Man United firing

Football Insider Verdict

While buds of hope are certainly very welcome at Old Trafford after finishing 15th last term, Amorim knows that results are the only things that matter.

With no European football for the first time since 2014, Man United can put their sole focus into domestic football and the Premier League as they look to put in a much-improved campaign this time around.

Amorim has been given welcome backing from the Man United hierarchy and supporters alike, but that will soon run out unless he can show glimpses of improvement this term.

No one expects Amorim’s side to be challenging for the title or even battling for the top four, but surely a top eight finish or a push for European football is not beyond their capabilities given the quality at their disposal.

Any hopes of doing that cannot be judged by one defeat against Arsenal – a side who will undoubtedly be battling for the title.

But with Fulham and Burnley next up for United in the Premier League, fans will be desperate to see them get maximum returns from those two matches.