Manchester United lost their first game of the season to Arsenal, who emerged 1-0 winners from Old Trafford.
It was a disappointing result but not a deserved defeat. New United stars Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo showed that they are settling in well and the team in general looked cohesive and positive.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, United captain Bruno Fernandes gave his verdict on his side’s opening day performance.
Familiar problems
The Portuguese felt that aside from letting in a goal the Red Devils played well and controlled the game. He said: “We conceded a goal from a set piece in the first half, and I think from there on Arsenal didn’t have any good chances, they didn’t create any good chances and we were defending very well.”
He then observed that one of the main problems United were having last season reared its ugly head for them once again.
“I think again we created too many chances without scoring, so that’s a point we have to look at and make better next time,” he said.
When pushed on United’s control of the game and how effectively they were able to contain a team being tipped for a title charge this season, Fernandes said: “I think we controlled well the game, we were very good on the ball and, as I said, we created some chances.
“But we didn’t score and I think that’s the main negative of the game for us today.”
Set piece frustration
Arsenal’s goal came from a corner as Altay Bayindir in the United goal flapped limply at the ball which flew through to Riccardo Calafiori to nod home.
When asked if it was a disappointing goal to concede, Fernandes was philosophical: “No, it’s part of the game, corners. Obviously, we know that [Arsenal] are very good in set pieces.
“I haven’t seen the goal again but when you touch a goalkeeper when he wants to jump and go for the ball it makes it very difficult for him. Unfortunately, Altay couldn’t get the ball out of the goal.”
The Turkish goalkeeper felt that he was fouled and was looking for a free-kick in the aftermath of the goal, but the United captain refused to be drawn on the issue.
When asked, he explained: “I haven’t seen the replay and I was on the first post so I can’t talk about it, but Altay was saying that in the moment he goes to push the ball he gets a touch.”
He did, however, have some keen observations to make about the officiating in general in relation to this sort of incident.
“We know in the Premier League they don’t give much in this type of situation,” he said, “even if they had a meeting with us saying that if the players are blocking and not looking at the ball they will whistle more.
“But we know that’s just kind of a saying, but not really going to [happen in] the game.”
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Joe Ponting
Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
