MANCHESTER — A much-improved Manchester United scrapped with Arsenal but fell victim a goalkeeper error in a 1-0 season-opening loss at Old Trafford on Sunday.
WATCH — Manchester United v Arsenal full match replay
The sun was out and there is plenty of positivity in the air for Ruben Amorim and Mikel Arteta.
MORE — Player ratings | Ruben Amorim reaction to loss
And Man United might’ve gotten more on another day, but Arsenal’s back line was stout and one those backs, Riccardo Calafiori, made the difference at the other end when Red Devils goalkeeper Altay Bayindir made the mistake that defined the game.
MORE — What JPW learned at Old Trafford
Manchester United passion there, attack needs to click
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta used his time with the NBC pitch side desk to say that his side were not at their best and that winning a game while second best is a good sign. But Manchester United were very much better than Arsenal over 90 minutes, led by Leny Yoro at the back and let down by the backup goalkeeper behind him. United out-attempted Arsenal 22-9 and kept 61% of the ball, winning the xG fight 1.59-1.05. It’s still a loss and Arsenal have pieces to integrate, too, but if this same game is played with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Bruno Fernandes all with more familiarity, it goes in the Red Devils’ favor. Now, of course, Arsenal will be better most games and much better more often than not. But this was as positive a home loss as you’re going to find for a club as massive and moral victory-free as Manchester United. — Nick Mendola
Bruno Fernandes cautiously optimistic after loss
Was it a step forward? “It’s the first game of the season so we can’t speak about steps forward. We did what was asked. We did a lot of good things but obviously it wasn’t enough. We conceded a goal from a set piece and from that point Arsenal didn’t create any chances.”
How did new attackers Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko look? “They created a lot. They were in the right positions. Matheus when he came as a striker he was good and as a 10 he was dangerous. We are very aware of them and it was a good first impression, but we know there will be better.”
Season outlook: “We have a lot of hope for this season for what we want to achieve this season. Losing is difficult but there are positive things. Defending set pieces is something we need to look at, and scoring goals is something we need to look at. I really appreciate from the fans at the end.”
What’s next?
Arsenal host Leeds United at 12:30pm ET Saturday.
Man United go to Fulham at 11:30am Sunday, then visit Grimsby Town in the League Cup the following Wednesday.
How to watch Manchester United vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11:30am ET Sunday (August 17)
Venue: Old Trafford — Manchester
TV Channel: NBC
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com & Stream live on Peacock
Manchester United vs Arsenal final score: 0-1
Goal scorer: Riccardo Calafiori 13'
Manchester United vs Arsenal live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright at Old Trafford
Full time — Manchester United vs Arsenal stats
Possession: Manchester United 61-39 Arsenal
Expected goals: Man Utd 1.59-1.05 Arsenal
Shot attempts: Man Utd 22-9 Arsenal
Shots on target: Man Utd 7-3 Arsenal
Corner kicks: Man Utd 3-4 Arsenal
Fouls: Man Utd 10-19 Arsenal
Maguire enters, concedes free kick
Harry Maguire replaces Luke Shaw and is quickly in the cauldron. Kai Havertz drives at him and pushes the ball forward. Maguire drops him with a hip. Declan Rice stings a free kick off the end of the wall and it’s a corner for Arsenal in the 83rd minute.
Sesko on for his debut
Huge roar here as Benjamin Sesko comes on for his Manchester United debut. Arsenal’s fans do not give him a warm welcome given their summer-long pursuit of him. Can Sesko deliver a big moment?
Madueke, Havertz on for Arsenal
Arsenal make a double sub and it has been coming. Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz are on for Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres. The latter gets ironic cheers from the United fans and is booed heavily. Gyokeres struggled on his debut, but he’s still not fully fit. He, of course, didn’t fancy a move to United this summer. Hence the booing...
Amad Diallo on for Diogo Dalot
An attacking change for Manchester United with Amad Diallo coming on for Diogo Dalot at right wing back. United still have Benjamin Sesko to bring on too. If United can keep it level until the final 20, buckle up!
Back underway in the second half
No changes for either side but Kai Havertz was shown sorting out his top in the Arsenal dugout. Might not be long until we see him replace Gyokeres up top...
Half time: Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal
The Gunners lead after Bayindir’s howler, but it has been United who’ve looked more impressive. Cunha and Mbeumo have gone close, while Dorgu has hit the post. Amorim won’t be happy he’s behind, but will be more than happy with the performance.
🤪 Well, that was a weird half!
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) August 17, 2025
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Half time thoughts from Manchester United vs Arsenal ⤵️ #MUFC #AFC pic.twitter.com/oJ9bQvu1ui
Cunha’s shot tipped wide
Matheus Cunha turns and fires a superb low shot across goal which David Raya pushes away. Mbeumo was on his heels and could have been coming in at the back post for a tap in.
Cunha tests Raya
Matheus Cunha bundles his way through but his low shot on goal is too close to David Raya. Aside from that howler from Bayindir, really positive first 32 minutes from Manchester United.
Dorgu hits the post!
Luke Shaw wins the ball back well and finds Patrick Dorgu, who runs at goal and has a pop from distance... but it hits the post! Really good effort from the United wing-back. So close to an equalizer.
United look for Mbeumo once again
Very clear game plan from Manchester United: hammer the ball over the top towards Bryan Mbeumo as early and often as possible. To be fair, it’s causing plenty of problems for Arsenal.
Mbeumo’s shot deflects wide
At one end Odegaard is away but Casemiro makes a fine tackle then pings it over the top to Mbeumo. He cuts inside but his shot deflects wide and goes out for a corner. End-to-end game, this!
Fernandes goes down and United have a free kick
Bruno Fernandes goes down under a challenge from Zubimendi and the ref gives a free kick on the edge of the box. It didn’t really look like a foul, but the free kick comes to nothing in the end. United look a bit stunned. They had started so well...
Oh no, Bayindir — Arsenal lead after a blunder from United’s goalkeeper
Declan Rice’s corner is whipped in and Bayindir makes a mess of it, then Riccardo Calafiori has the easiest task to nod home on the line. “Set piece again ole, ole!” sing the Arsenal fans in the away end. Arsenal lead after not really being in the game.
Mbeumo is away again, but his low shot is weak
United are looking to Bryan Mbeumo as quickly as possible. He has the beating of Calafiori early on but his shot is tame and Raya saves.
Manchester United have started really well. Looking long early and it is working. Bryan Mbeumo is sharp and running at Arsenal. Gunners yet to get any control of this game. #MUFC 0-0 #AFC
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) August 17, 2025
Mbeumo catches Zubimendi and leads a counter
Zubimendi goes down holding his face and Mbeumo is away, but he can’t quite find Cunha and Arsenal eventually clear. Welcome to the Premier League, Zubimendi. That may have been waved back if United had scored from that.
What a brilliant atmosphere here!
Teams are out. Let’s go!
🚨Superb atmosphere at Old Trafford! Ready to go for Manchester United vs Arsenal. #MUFC #AFC
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) August 17, 2025
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Team news is intriguing...
No Andre Onana in United’s squad (due to a hamstring issue) means Bayindir starts in goal, while Dalot is preferred over Amad at wing-back. Shaw is in at center back with De Ligt and Yoro, while Casemiro partners Bruno Fernandes in midfield with Mason Mount supporting new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in attack. Sesko is on the bench. Arsenal’s only real surprise is at full back with Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori starting over Jurrien Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly, with the former recovering from an injury during preseason. New signing Martin Zubimendi starts in midfield, while fellow new boy Viktor Gyokeres starts up top with Saka and Martinelli either side of him.
Manchester United lineup
Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Mount; Cunha
Arsenal lineup
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Welcome to sunny Old Trafford!
B-E-A-utiful day here in Manchester. It has to be on the opening weekend of the season, right!? Real excitement in the air, especially among United fans. Plenty of United fans wearing Mbeumo and Cunha shirts outside and they are ready to move on quickly from last season.
🚨Beautiful day at Old Trafford for Manchester United vs Arsenal!
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) August 17, 2025
WATCH LIVE + analysis, videos & more ➡️ https://t.co/Lmbzug7y1v #MUFC #AFC #MUNARS pic.twitter.com/fvv4yB8O2H
Manchester United team news, focus
United have some big players to come back from injury in defense and Andre Onana has been out injured in goal, with reports suggesting the Red Devils may look at bringing in a new goalkeeper. Onana is fit to be in the squad so it will be intriguing to see if he starts. The 3-4-2-1 system remains and Bruno Fernandes in a deeper midfield role is allowing Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko to start in attack. Amad Diallo and Patrick Dorgu as wing backs is attack-minded and United will look to soak up pressure and hit Arsenal on the counter.
OUT: Noussair Mazraoui (hamstring), Lisandro Martinez (knee)
Arsenal team news, focus
At this point we know exactly what we are going to get from Arsenal in terms of shape and style of play. But the new players they’ve added certainly add an extra dimension. With Gyokeres up top they finally have a different type of striker and it will be intriguing to see who starts in support of him. We know Bukayo Saka will start on the right but it’s a straight scrap between new signing Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli to start on the left. And what about Kai Havertz? Could he play in a floating role? That means one of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard or Martin Zubimendi will miss out on the starting lineup, which won’t happen.
OUT: Gabriel Jesus (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Leandro Trossard (hip)
Manchester United vs Arsenal prediction
Arsenal are obviously the favorites but this is going to be closer than most think. United will be really dangerous on the counter but it’s tough to see their defense shutting down Arsenal’s plethora of attackers. Manchester United 1-2 Arsenal.
Manchester United vs Arsenal preview
United have a fresh start under Ruben Amorim and have looked really good in preseason as they won the Premier League Summer Series in the USA. Their three new forwards in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko are very exciting and the minimum expectation this season is to finish in the top six and have a good cup run. After a summer of change, there is plenty of positivity around Old Trafford. For now.
Arsenal’s expectations are much higher as this feels like the pivotal season in Mikel Arteta’s project. After signing Viktor Gyokeres as their main forward, plus adding plenty of quality to strengthen their squad considerably, it really feels like this is the season Arsenal have to win a trophy. And probably the Premier League. After three-straight second place finishes in the league, the pressure is on Arsenal to clear the final hurdle.
