Deborah Akinyosoye
Arsenal defeated Manchester United 1-0 to open their latest Premier League title challenge with a hard-fought three points at Old Trafford. Altay Bayindir’s blunder handed Arsenal victory and undid a positive Manchester United performance in Sunday’s pulsating Premier League encounter.
United looked far better than the side that finished 15th last season, their worst top-flight campaign since 1974, yet Ruben Amorim’s side fell to a 1-0 defeat as Riccardo Calafiori capitalised on Bayindir’s early flap.
The back-up goalkeeper was outmuscled by William Saliba as he attempted to deal with a Declan Rice corner, tipping it on for the defender to nod into an empty net and silence Old Trafford after a bright start.
Bayindir’s error underlined concerns over the goalkeeping position at Old Trafford, where often unconvincing number one Andre Onana was absent as he works his way back from a hamstring injury.
United are a work in progress but summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo looked sharp on their debuts, with Patrick Dorgu hitting a post with a lasered first-half effort. Arsenal keeper David Raya produced a string of important stops to keep the hosts at bay, with his man of the match of the display helping Arteta’s side to victory.