Manchester United started their 2025/26 campaign with a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. Riccardo Calafiori scored the all-important goal in the first-half, heading home from close range after Altay Bayindir had flapped at Declan Rice’s corner.

The Red Devils will certainly feel aggrieved not to have earned at least a point from the clash, having dominated the lion's share of possession and limiting Arsenal to just a handful of chances.

Summer signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha both impressed at Old Trafford, both forcing fine stops from David Raya and proving a constant nuisance for William Saliba and Gabriel to deal with.

Express Sport ranks how the United stars fared at the Theatre of Dreams…

Altay Bayindir - 4

The goalkeeper failed to justify the show of faith from his manager. The Turkish international was far too weak for the only goal of the game and lacked any form of conviction when playing out from the back. Once again highlighted why United need to sign a new No. 1.

Leny Yoro - 6

Steady performance from the Frenchman, though threw possession away with his desire to go long with his passing.

Matthijs De Ligt - 8

Faced a tough task up against Viktor Gyokeres, but won that battle on the whole. In a physical, tight matchup, he prevented the Arsenal star from holding up play, which ultimately prompted him to pull wider overall before he was replaced by Kai Havertz - who made no impact either.

Luke Shaw – 7 (Maguire, 80’)

Kept Bukayo Saka quiet throughout and was given the licence to push on and overload the wide areas with Dorgu at times. A solid option for his manager if he can stay fit.

Diogo Dalot – 5 (Diallo, 55’)

Although a safe bet defensively, the Portuguese international lacks the attacking threat to truly assert himself as a wingback. Found himself in good areas on several occasions but his end product went astray.

Casemiro – 6 (Ugarte, 65’)

For what he lacked in speed, he made up for in smart reading of the game. Kept play ticking well and showed a willingness to spread the ball out wide with a number of well-executed passes.

Bruno Fernandes - 6

Deployed in a deeper role, the skipper failed to truly impose himself on the clash in an attacking sense. Created some openings from deep but also made some sloppy errors in dangerous areas too.

Patrick Dorgu - 6

Was unfortunate not to equalise when his sweet strike ricocheted out off of the post. Showed plenty of energy throughout and picked the ball up in good areas, though at times could’ve done more in those pockets of space. Lost his man for the all-important goal. Booked.

Bryan Mbeumo – 8

The new signing has hit the ground running at Old Trafford. His pace and energy was frightening for the Arsenal defence on the counter, with his willingness to go either side of his marker making him a constant headache as well. Forced the best save of the game from Raya with his header.

Mason Mount – 7 (Sesko, 65’)

The England international was excellent in the first-half, interchanging fluidly with his teammates across the front and leading by example with his pressing. His impact fizzled out after the interval.

Matheus Cunha – 8

An exciting performance from the Brazilian, causing countless problems for Arsenal’s usually-unfazed backline. Crafted several openings for himself and forced a fine stop from Raya in the first half.

Substitutes

Amad Diallo – 7

Highlighted why many believe he should be United’s first-choice right-wingback. The Ivorian provided plenty of attacking threat and made a number of strong challenges too to underline how he can make a presence at both ends of the pitch.

Benjamin Sesko – 6

Failed to make the impact he would have hoped for off of the bench. His height and strength occupied the Arsenal centre-backs but he was limited to just a handful of touches.

Manuel Ugarte – 5

Although he gave Fernandes a greater licence to bomb on towards the end of the match, the midfielder killed a lot of United's momentum in possession. Two cheap fouls and a waywards shot summed up his impact.

Harry Maguire - 6

Sent on when United searched for an equaliser late on, met a handful of long balls.