While Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday may, at face value, appear simply a case of another normal loss, the specifics of the performance revealed a very different picture.
Although the visitors took the result, United provided some positive signs that their new system is taking effect; the early goal conceded to a careless turnover may have been decisive, but apart from that, United showed combinations of tactical structure and attacking purpose that suggest growth under Ruben Amorim.
Much like the Jackpot Sounds stimulated big win opportunities approach, where patterns and sequences are distances to moments of brilliances alike emerges from failures, United’s performance pinpointed the areas where the team is improving. They were more positive on the ball, they pressed high, and they provided improved continuity to their transitions.
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The players weren’t simply running because they needed to, they were functional in running to upset Arsenal’s patterns through their shape where they also looked to create opportunities for themselves—meaning even if the scoreline did not favour the team, the underlying metrics and the feelings from the players on the pitch could have pointed to a side progressing or even evolving.
Undoubtedly the biggest change from last season that stood out was the way United approached the game.
We mean, they still lined up in the same 3-4-2-1 formation, but they looked much more assertive.
After the contests of our wing-backs, Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu were pushing high and wide, adding width to United's attacks and providing alternatives to attack. Amad Diallo overly brought a burst of energy when he replaced Dalot after half-time.
Keep in mind that United’s more aggressive approach enabled United to challenge Arsenal’s midfield superiority in a way they previously couldn’t even attempt. Instead of Arsenal dictating the rhythm of the game. It wasn't until the final fifteen minutes that United really put Arsenal under pressure. United's new summer signings showed up too. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, in particular, showed the type of attacking threat they lacked for an age.
Their speed, physicality, and willingness to exploit the space behind Arsenal's back four posed a genuine threat to their defenders, which we have not seen at Old Trafford for years.
There was an apparent absence of caution from opposing sides when playing United through previous seasons, now there are defenders who are genuinely concerned when playing against US. One thought Mason Mount played well too, supporting the attacking unit in a clever way, as well as disrupting Arsenal's rhythm.
United's defensive shape and solidity make it tougher for the opposition to go through them as a whole unit. The team were still trying to build from the back and get caught out of shape, but there were fewer possession errors (or defensive aberrations) compared to last season.
The front line harrying, pressing, and winning second balls, combined with the midfield's strength and aggressiveness, meant the opposition could not dictate their possession game. Just as the Gunners were putting United under pressure or they were exposed on the counter, they generally maintained shape and discipline, which offers more defensive cohesion than we saw last season. Maintaining some sort of defensive responsibility and elements of attacking ambition is clear evidence of progress as a defensively unit.
Statistically, in comparison to previous games with other top-tier opposition, United were more aggressive with 22 shots, 7 on target, and 36 touches inside the opposition's box. That shows a willingness to keep going at the Gunners' defence, regardless of having only played for roughly 45 minutes. There remains much to work on regarding finishing but producing multiple quality chances indicates that the team can create repeated threats if they execute the system correctly.
New signing Benjamin Sesko, who came on later was supposed to offer that depth in attack as he becomes fully functional within the squad.
Naturally, not everything went right. The central midfield partnership warrants questions; it will take some time for Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro to work in tandem with Bruno Fernandes.
As already mentioned, concerns remain over goalkeeping, which was played out in the error made by Altay Bayindir which eventually decided the game. While those shortcomings are valuable, they do not overshadow the positives we can take, and they signify more of the work to be done as the team fuses together and continues its adjustment period under Amorim.
In many ways, this match is an inflection point for United. At this stage of the season, progress means less points and more relationships on the pitch, confidence, and new player integrations. The players seemed to be comfortable in their relationships on the pitch, showed energy and belief, and began to show attacking threat, which makes defenders shiver. Losing is never ideal; however, when you have ample evidence of growth in performance, it is reasonable to be cautiously optimistic.
In the end, Sunday’s match provided a roadmap for what United might achieve by pairing tactical discipline with attacking panache. If they can combine their high pressing with smart use of their wing-backs and convert the chances they are obviously creating now, the results should come. For a team that has not had confidence against top opposition, this will allow players and fans alike to sense that better times could be ahead.
