Manchester United will have been pleased to see Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo make a positive start to life at Old Trafford despite Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal
Isaac is a senior NCTJ-trained journalist with an MA in News Journalism. He has experience of working for national and regional news organisations including the Express, the Manchester Evening News and the Liverpool Echo. He currently covers sport across all regional sites at Reach PLC.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim will have liked what he saw from Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo on Sunday (Image: PA)
If Manchester United needed proof that they’ve signed the right players this summer – Sunday’s performance against Arsenal offered some positive indications.
Time will tell if Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo go on to have successful careers at Old Trafford. The new double act were still part of a United side which slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal in their opening fixture of 2025/26.
There was also a worrying repeat of United’s inability to convert their chances, with Ruben Amorim hoping that Benjamin Sesko will fix that gaping hole in his team. And yet the Reds’ overall performance against a likely Premier League title contender offers some room for optimism.
United’s XG (expected goals) of 1.59 was higher than Mikel Arteta’s side, who managed an XG of 1.05. The Reds also had more possession (61.2 per cent) more shots (22) and shots on target (seven).
But for a howler from goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, then Amorim’s men would have earned at least a point against one of Europe’s best teams.
Much of the improved display was down to United’s improved pressing and organisation after a full pre-season under Amorim. Focus must now be on turning positive performances into results – a challenge the Reds have struggled with since their Portuguese head coach arrived in November 2024.
The hope will now be that a combination of Cunha and Mbeumo’s creativity will supply Sesko with plenty of chances to score and see United drastically improve on last season’s meagre tally of just 44 Premier League goals.
And yet there are still plenty of issues which cannot be fixed before the summer transfer window closes on September 1. Bayindir’s blunder which handed the Gunners all three points put United’s goalkeeping issues into sharp focus.
None of Bayindir, Andre Onana or Tom Heaton are the solution for Amorim and he knows it – despite a staunch defence of his keepers.
Midfield will also continue to hold United back until they reinforce in that area. Manuel Ugarte’s cameo against Arsenal summed up his struggles in a Reds shirt, with the Uruguayan struggling to adapt to the pace of Sunday’s game.
However, overall, the early signs for Mbeumo, Cunha and Co. are positive at United after their opening game. Now the pressure to deliver is really on with seemingly winnable fixtures against Fulham and Burnley to come in a season where United must challenge for Europe.
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