Tactical Analysis: Positives and concerns in opening match

Manchester United's 2024-25 Premier League campaign began with a disappointing 1-0 home loss to Arsenal, marking a poor start to their efforts to move on from last season's struggles. The defeat was manager Ruben Amorim's 15th loss in just 28 games in charge, making him the fastest non-newly-promoted manager to reach that mark. The match followed a familiar pattern for United under Amorim: they employed a lockdown defensive strategy against a top-six opponent but failed to score themselves—the 12th time that has happened in his 28-game tenure.

Despite the loss, there were positive individual performances. Summer signing Leny Yoro, a 19-year-old center-back acquired for £67 million, continued to impress with his confidence on the ball, driving runs forward, sharp passing, and exceptional recovery pace, bolstering his reputation as a future world-class defender. Additionally, attacker Mathues Cunha stood out for his unpredictability and dynamic movement, offering a creative spark in a team often criticized for overly structured play.

Defensively, United showed signs of continuity from last season's improvements under Amorim. The team limited Arsenal to just eight entries into their box and only three completed passes within 20 yards of their goal, maintaining a strong defensive record that began in the previous campaign. United's center-backs controlled the area effectively, largely neutralizing Arsenal's attacking threat for large portions of the game.

However, United's recurring vulnerability to set pieces proved decisive. Since the start of the 2023-24 season, Arsenal have been the most prolific team from corner kicks, scoring 31 times, while United have conceded more goals from set pieces than all but two teams. The winning goal came from an in-swinging corner, with Arsenal exploiting United's hesitancy in dealing with crosses. After a series of holds and screens, William Saliba outpositioned Mason Mount, and goalkeeper Altay Bayindir's weak attempt to punch the ball away allowed Riccardo Calafiori to head in unmarked at the back post.