Ruben Amorim experienced his first league defeat as Manchester United’s manager during their 2-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. This was also Amorim’s first-ever Premier League loss, which served as a harsh reminder of the challenges he faces in rebuilding United. Despite a dominant 4-0 win over Everton just days earlier, Amorim had cautioned that tougher times were ahead, stating, “The storm will come. We are going to have difficult moments and we will be found out in some games.” His prediction became a reality as Arsenal capitalized on two set-piece goals in the second half, with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba finding the net from corners. This marked the first time United had conceded two goals from corners in a Premier League match since January 2014.
Set-piece defending was one of several issues Amorim had to confront during this defeat. The game highlighted weaknesses in United’s general performance, and the manager now has a clearer understanding of where improvements are needed. The loss also underscored the physical challenges facing certain players, as Amorim referenced the “time limit” for managing players recovering from injuries. Tyrell Malacia, who had played well in the first half against Arsenal, was substituted at halftime, and Harry Maguire was taken off on the hour mark. Amorim also mentioned Mason Mount and Leny Yoro in his post-match remarks, further emphasizing the challenges with squad rotation.
United’s attacking efforts were also underwhelming. Despite making six changes to the starting XI—the most by United in a Premier League game since the end of the 2022/23 season—there was a lack of cohesion. Players like Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee, who had been in good form against Everton, were dropped, and the makeshift attacking setup failed to create significant chances. Rasmus Højlund and Alejandro Garnacho did not register a shot, and Bruno Fernandes struggled to provide the creative spark expected of him in a deeper role. United’s Expected Goals (xG) in their matches under Amorim reflected a lack of attacking potency, with very low numbers in their games against Ipswich, Everton, and Arsenal.
Despite these struggles, there were some positives for Amorim to build on. Young defender Leny Yoro made a successful return from injury, impressing with a solid performance when introduced. Amad Diallo also showed promise in attack, providing some exciting dribbles down the right wing. However, like his teammates, he was unable to make a meaningful contribution to alter the course of the game. Amorim’s assessment of the loss was pragmatic; he acknowledged the need for improvement in the final third of the pitch, stating, “We need to improve, be more aggressive and have more ideas.”
As Amorim continues to implement his vision at Manchester United, he is aware that tougher moments lie ahead, and Wednesday’s defeat serves as an important learning experience. The focus now shifts to improving the attacking structure and consistency, as well as finding solutions to United’s defensive vulnerabilities.
