MANCHESTER UNITED were edged out 1-0 by Arsenal in their season opener.
Riccardo Calafiori‘s scrappy 13th minute goal from a corner proved to be enough to sink the Red Devils.
Shutterstock EditorialMan Utd fell to opening day defeat against the Gunners[/caption]
Ruben Amorim‘s side huffed and puffed to try and grab a leveller.
The United boss turned to £74million new boy Benjamin Sesko in the second half.
But the ball just wouldn’t fall for a red shirt in the box.
Here’s how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated each Man Utd performer on the day…
ALTAY BAYINDIR – 4
Got the nod ahead of Onana but his blunder undid all United’s good early work. Needed to be stronger as he flapped at the corner and gifted Calafiori the opening goal.
GettyBayindir couldn’t deal with a corner which led to the only goal of the game[/caption]
LENY YORO – 7
Still only 19 but the French defender looks a class act. Kept Martinelli quiet and then switched sides to keep an eye on Saka after Shaw went off. Will be a key part of United’s defence for years to come.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 7
Showed his defensive qualities when Gyokeres went through and when the Swede was withdrawn on the hour he knew he had done his job. Great late block to deny Saka a second goal for the Gunners.
GettyMatthijs de Ligt battles with Kai Havertz[/caption]
LUKE SHAW – 6
Bit of a surprise to see him start but a sign of the faith the manager has in him and hopefully his injury problems are behind him now. Did a decent job keeping Saka quiet before his lack of game time caught up and Maguire replaced him.
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DIOGO DALOT – 6
Nice link up with Mbeumo and got in a couple of decent positions down the right but with no centre forward there was nobody to pick out. Replaced by Amad early in second half as United needed more attacking threat.
GettyDiogo Dalot was substituted before the hour mark[/caption]
CASEMIRO – 6
More talk of a move away in recent weeks but here he was starting the new season in the middle. Used his experience to keep United in the ascendancy before making way for fresh legs of Ugarte.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 6
Some questions over where the skipper will play with the new forwards arriving but he can play deeper if needed and showed that here. Almost created an equaliser with cross for Sesko header.
GettyBruno Fernandes tried to gee up his team-mates[/caption]
PATRICK DORGU – 6
Looks like he has settled in now after taking time to find his feet following January move. Sliced an early effort wide but came so close to equaliser with shot that smacked the post. Nice cross for Mbeuemo too.
BRYAN MBEUMO – 8
Early chance shot straight at Raya, overhead kick just wide and brought a flying save out of Raya. Hugely promising first appearance at OT for the Cameroon forward.
ReutersBryan Mbeumo was making his Man Utd debut[/caption]
MASON MOUNT – 6
Got the nod to start when many were expecting Sesko. Saw an effort blocked, some nice link up play and did a job on Arsenal’s midfield but then made way for the new £74 million forward midway through the second half.
MATHEUS CUNHA – 8
Super run through a crowd of players before shot straight at Raya showed what he is all about. Caused Arsenal’s normally secure backline plenty of problems. United fans are going to love the Brazilian.
ReutersMatheus Cunha arrived from Wolves over the summer[/caption]
SUBSTITUTES
Amad Diallo (for Dalot, 55) – 6
Gave United more of an attacking threat but could not find a way through.
Manuel Ugarte (for Casemiro, 65) – 5
Fired a long range shot high and wide late on when he should have done better.
Benjamin Sesko (for Mount, 65) – 5
Huge ovation for the new boy and a couple of half chances – should have been on earlier.
Harry Maguire (for Shaw, 80) – 5
Booked before he had even had a touch – then pushed up front in search of an equaliser.
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