Match Report: Manchester United 0–1 Arsenal

Manchester United ArsenalRiccardo Calafiori’s early header gives Arsenal a gritty 1–0 win over Manchester United in a tense Premier League opener at Old Trafford.

Arsenal kicked off their 100th consecutive top-flight season with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Manchester United, courtesy of a 13th-minute header from Riccardo Calafiori. The goal came from a set-piece masterclass—Declan Rice’s inswinging corner caused chaos in the Manchester United box, and goalkeeper Altay Bayindir failed to clear effectively, allowing Riccardo Calafiori to nod home from close range.

Despite the early setback, Manchester United dominated possession (62%) and looked the more threatening side throughout the first half. New signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha were lively, with Cunha weaving through defenders and Patrick Dorgu rattling the post with a thunderous strike.

Raya’s Heroics Keep Arsenal Ahead

Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya was the standout performer, making a string of crucial saves to preserve the lead. He denied Cunha multiple times, including a fingertip stop from a tight angle and a reflex save from Mbeumo’s header in the 74th minute.

William Saliba also played a vital role, making a last-ditch tackle on Cunha in the dying moments to prevent a certain equaliser.

Both managers made strategic substitutions in the second half. United introduced Benjamin Sesko and Amad Diallo to bolster their attack, while Arsenal brought on Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke to shore up midfield and add pace.

Despite Arsenal registering zero shots on target in the second half, their defensive resilience and game management proved decisive.

With this victory, Arsenal had won at Old Trafford by the same score six times in Premier League history. While United showed promise with their new attacking trio, they were undone by a familiar weakness: defending corners. Arsenal, meanwhile, leaned on their set-piece prowess and defensive grit to snatch all three points.

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