Manchester United began their Premier League campaign with a defeat, after a promising performance against a frustratingly defensive Arsenal outfit resulted in a 1-0 loss.
Despite a wave of early attacking intent and possession, the visitors took the lead after 13 minutes through Riccardo Calafiori, with the defender heading home following a questionable Altay Bayindir swipe from a corner routine.
Patrick Dorgu enjoyed a bright pre-season with a plethora of impressive displays and carried the confidence gained into this affair, rattling the woodwork with a 35-yard effort on the half-hour mark.
The Reds continued to press, and Matheus Cunha forced a sublime save from David Raya, with the Spaniard somehow getting his fingertips to a low-driven effort to force a corner.
Although Ruben Amorim’s men continued to hunt for an elusive equaliser, the 11 men from London remained defensively shrewd throughout, content with sitting deep and frustrating their northern hosts.
Despite the agony following a marginal defeat, this was a hugely encouraging performance from a new-look United side that enjoyed the majority of possession, passes, and goal attempts throughout both halves.
While Amorim will inevitably face a barrage of scrutiny in response, there is a framework for a competitive side at M16, and focus immediately shifts to Craven Cottage next Sunday.
So near, yet so far for Manchester United in Arsenal defeat.
On a day when a partisan Old Trafford welcomed its heroes for the first outing on a long road towards Premier League redemption, Amorim’s task was clear: remind the football world that we are Manchester United and this is the Theatre of Dreams.
Having reconfigured his attacking line with the additions of Bryan Mbeumo and Cunha, a decision to begin without Benjamin Sesko aroused the expected concern amongst the fanbase. Instead, Mason Mount was installed from the off and delivered a notable display after a promising summer.
Eyebrows were also raised with the omission of Amad as Diogo Dalot assumed control of the right wing back slot, but the Portuguese experience shone during the early stages, combating a tried-and-tested Arsenal attacking line and limiting Gabriel Martinelli to scraps.
The home side thoroughly impressed throughout the opening phases, enjoying the lion’s share of possession and threatening routinely, with Mbeumo a constant thorn on the right side of a dangerous attacking line.
However, as was often the case throughout last season’s forgettable campaign, the goalkeeping situation offers concern, and Bayindir’s inability to command his area from a routine dead ball gifted Mikel Arteta an early lead against the run of play.
While disappointed to fall behind, Amorim’s men maintained control of the game afterwards and offered endless menace through the attacking intentions of Cunha and Mbeumo, with Mount reminding those in attendance of his abundant qualities.
United continued to charge forward after the restart, with Arsenal maintaining a rigid defensive structure.
In response, Amad entered the fray after 55 minutes, with Manuel Ugarte and new-boy Sesko arriving for the final quarter to a deafening chorus of applause.
For all of the talk about a lack of structure and attacking coherence in the North West, an endless assault on the final third was epitomised by an acrobatic Mbeumo effort with 20 to play, stirring a rousing cry from the Stretford End.
The Cameroon star forced another sublime save from Raya moments later, with a downward header expertly guided wide amidst a wave of Red efforts.
Amorim’s men continued to press relentlessly, but a London wall remained determined to mirror the tactical structure of many minnows who have been and gone to Old Trafford. To their credit, they just about held a flamboyant attack at bay.
Harry Maguire was introduced late on and offered his usual menace in and around the box, but this was a fixture that was just out of reach for the 20-time English champions.
It is often difficult to take any positives from frustrating outings, but this felt like a team that has the capabilities of growing into a side deserving of the shirt. Cunha and Mbeumo were a delight, and Mount complemented a typically commanding Bruno Fernandes with endless interchange and technical ability.
As always, goals win games, and the memories of last season resonate in defeat. But with Sesko only lifting the lid on his journey, and Amorim’s attacking recruits still finding their feet in Manchester, there are plenty of plus points on a frustrating evening.
A trip to face a dogged Fulham side presents an altogether different test next Sunday, with plenty of optimism for a spirited showing emerging from the Old Trafford faithful.
How do you feel following defeat to Arsenal in our Premier League season opener?
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