Ruben Amorim Positive Despite Manchester United's Losing Start: 'We Have Players To Win Any Game'

Last Updated:August 18, 2025, 09:31 IST

A weak challenge from goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was one of United’s few errors in a match that left their fans departing Old Trafford with a sense of positivity.

Ruben Amorim dismissed any queries regarding changes in the goalkeeper position. (AP Photo)

Manchester United faced a defeat against Arsenal in their opening match on Sunday, but Ruben Amorim stayed optimistic and expressed that his revamped team is now capable of defeating any team in the Premier League as the club seeks to overcome last season’s disappointing 15th-place finish.

Riccardo Calafiori scored from an early corner, securing a 1-0 victory for Arsenal. A weak challenge from goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was one of United’s few errors in a match that left their fans departing Old Trafford with a sense of positivity.

“We have players to win any game in the Premier League," Amorim said, flashing a rare smile after the stern expression he carried throughout most of last season. “We were more aggressive than last year. We went one against one all the game and we pressed high. We had quality with the ball."

New signings Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford added speed and creativity to United’s attack, with Cunha, who had three shots on target, arguably being the standout player on the pitch.

“We did a lot of things right," Amorim stated. “We were more aggressive and brave. At key moments, I think Bryan and Cunha helped significantly. We stuck to our plan even when the stadium was tense; we continued to play our game, and that will benefit us in the future.

“(The fans) want that feeling again. When we go to Old Trafford, we won’t be bored. We need to win more than last season, but they want to experience something and feel something."

United also appeared more composed defensively compared to last season, though the error from their Turkish goalkeeper raised concerns about that position in Amorim’s lineup.

Arsenal’s William Saliba backed into Bayindir, who weakly fended off the ball with one hand, allowing Italian Calafiori to score with an easy close-range header.

Amorim emphasised the need for United to match Arsenal’s physicality during corners.

“If you watch the goal, I think players are allowed to do a lot in corners. We need to do the same," he commented. “But when you touch the goalkeeper in that manner, he needs to use his hands to catch the ball, not push players, or he decides to push players and lets the ball past.

“But again, it is the rules. If he’s allowed, we need to do the same thing."

Bayindir was chosen over the usual starter Andre Onana, who has had only three training sessions after recovering from injury. Despite Onana’s own mistakes last season, Amorim dismissed any queries regarding changes in the goalkeeper position.

With Reuters Inputs

Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...Read More

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...

Read More

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First Published:

August 18, 2025, 09:31 IST

News sports Ruben Amorim Positive Despite Manchester United's Losing Start: 'We Have Players To Win Any Game'

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