The latest clash between Manchester United and Arsenal, initially hyped as a showdown between high-profile new attacking signings, ironically saw the decisive goal scored by a defender. Arsenal secured a narrow 1-0 victory at Old Trafford, characteristic of their ability to capitalize on set pieces even when their general play is lacking. The match itself was a disjointed and unimpressive display from both sides, further underscoring how much ground Manchester United still needs to cover, despite recent perceived improvements.
Nevertheless, this encounter provided a crucial chance to evaluate six of the summer`s most anticipated new signings. Manchester United`s revamped attack, featuring Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko, raised questions about their immediate synergy. Similarly, attention turned to Arsenal`s new faces: Viktor Gyokeres, a long-term target, alongside Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke. We will now closely examine the performances of these debutants.
The Debutants` Performances
Bryan Mbeumo: A Promising Start
Among all the players making their debut on Sunday, Bryan Mbeumo appeared the most comfortable in his new Manchester United kit. This ease is understandable, as his role on the right of a front three, supported by an overlapping wing-back, is a familiar one from his time at Brentford. Early in the game, Mbeumo had the Old Trafford crowd buzzing, cutting inside from the right flank and unleashing several threatening shots. Manager Ruben Amorim positioned his right winger high and wide, a tactic that minimized Mbeumo`s defensive duties and allowed him to receive the ball in dangerous zones before opponents could recover. This approach proved highly effective against an Arsenal side struggling with defensive transitions.
Mbeumo was certainly not shy about shooting, forcing one of David Raya`s best saves with a powerful header from Patrick Dorgu`s cross. However, his standout moments were his subtle flicks and immaculate first touches, including one early turn that left Zubimendi bewildered and another gentle left-footed flick that perfectly teed up Matheus Cunha. The subsequent play, however, revealed an issue.
Matheus Cunha: Industry with Inefficiency
Manchester United supporters were evidently impressed by their new Brazilian forward, Matheus Cunha, who was voted man of the match. His performance was characterized by an exceptional work rate, often a missing attribute in Old Trafford attackers. Cunha engaged in 20 duels, more than any other player, and his relentless pressing from the center-forward position likely contributed to Arsenal`s loose build-up play.
However, Cunha himself was prone to making some rather reckless decisions in possession. The 26-year-old embodied two interconnected issues plaguing United`s performance: a tendency for hurried shots, which meant 22 attempts on goal yielded an underwhelming 1.52 expected goals (xG). Last season, Cunha had a remarkable scoring record for Wolves, with 15 Premier League goals significantly aiding their survival. Yet, this tally was considerably higher than his 8.65 xG, inflated by a series of spectacular long-range efforts that even elite finishers rarely consistently convert. In the current 2023-24 season, half of his shots originated from outside the box, accounting for five of his goals from just 2.25 xG. Such extraordinary scoring streaks rarely endure.
On several occasions on opening day, much like Mbeumo, Cunha attempted to create moments of individual brilliance. For instance, in a situation (depicted in a tactical graphic) where he received a clever flick from a teammate with space, he opted for a weak shot from distance instead of slipping the ball back to the well-positioned Mbeumo. This pattern could be indicative of future issues, though manager Amorim will hopefully guide Cunha towards selecting more favorable shooting opportunities.
This tactical graphic also highlighted another United weakness: the sparse presence of players in the penalty area during attacks. The team might have had even more than 22 shots if early cutbacks had a specific target. As the designated striker, Cunha could perhaps have offered more, but leading the line isn`t his natural inclination. He preferred to drift into central and left channels, a strategy that might have been more effective had Mason Mount possessed Mbeumo`s instinct for runs in behind. Instead, United often reverted to what felt like a two-man counter-attack, overly reliant on Cunha or Mbeumo to create something from nothing. While glimpses of their potential shone through, such as Cunha`s impressive dribble past Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Gabriel, it was a demanding task for the new recruits.
Benjamin Sesko: A Glimpse of Promise
The dynamic of the game shifted, at least partially, when manager Amorim introduced Benjamin Sesko with 25 minutes remaining. While a brief appearance is insufficient to truly evaluate a raw striker whose true impact will unfold over years, his debut offered little cause for concern. As United desperately sought to alter the game`s course, they needed a strong presence in the penalty area, and Sesko delivered precisely that.
Wayne Rooney, a club legend, offered guarded praise for the youngster on his podcast, remarking, `He held the ball up, he positioned himself centrally, waiting for opportunities, so I believe there are many positives.`
Sesko`s short stint saw him accumulate four touches in the opposition`s box and register two shots on target. Even more impressive were the chances he helped create, notably an incisive run behind Arsenal`s defense that concluded with a clever flick into open space. Although the resulting shot by Manuel Ugarte from long range perhaps shouldn`t count as a shot assist, given more promising options were available, Sesko`s presence undeniably sparked activity for United. For a debut, this was highly encouraging.
Viktor Gyokeres: A Challenging Debut
Remarkably, during those 25 minutes, United`s substitute accumulated more touches in the penalty box than Viktor Gyokeres, the player Arsenal opted for. Gyokeres managed only three touches in the box, with his most promising moment also being his most clumsy. Finally unleashed in the inside-left channel, a position where he thrived for Sporting, Gyokeres drove towards Matthijs De Ligt, attempting to cut onto his right foot. Instead, he stumbled over the ball, losing possession and conceding a free-kick. This was a difficult debut for the Swedish forward, though perhaps unsurprising, given that many of his teammates were also struggling.
More encouraging, however, was his teammates` apparent effort to adapt their play to maximize Gyokeres` effectiveness. As noted in prior analysis, this match saw Arsenal play at their highest tempo in over three seasons of Premier League title contention. There was a clear intent to deliver quick balls to their striker, who has historically excelled as a lone counter-attacking force. Conversely, as illustrated by a tactical `left touch map,` Gyokeres himself seemed to be adjusting to Arsenal`s system.
Bukayo Saka commented on his new teammate:
“I was impressed with him, and he fought hard for us. It was a tough game, a real battle up front. I thought he performed well. His performance gives us a foundation, and I`m confident it will help him next week. He and the other new players have integrated smoothly.”
Even in a match where he registered no shots and created no chances, there were brief glimpses of Gyokeres` potential, such as a well-delivered cross that demanded a better finish from Gabriel Martinelli. These, however, were merely flashes, and a more consistent impact will be needed soon. Arsenal`s decision to sign a 27-year-old from the Championship, over the highly-rated Benjamin Sesko, was based on the belief that Gyokeres could make an immediate impression. While there`s still ample time for this assessment to be proven correct, significant work may be required to seamlessly integrate Gyokeres` individual style with Arsenal`s overall play.
Martin Zubimendi: A Solid, Understated Debut
However, it wasn`t Gyokeres, but Martin Zubimendi, who initially caused Arsenal fans concern just ten minutes into the match. Having impressed supporters during preseason, the stage seemed set for him to dominate Manchester United`s somewhat depleted midfield. Then, an errant right arm from a United player caught Zubimendi in the face, sending the former Real Sociedad midfielder reeling. This was a rude welcome to the Premier League, and for a period, it appeared the Spaniard might be overwhelmed. Three of his first four passes went astray, although many were intricate flicks and lay-offs. More troubling, however, was his struggle to consistently get on the ball.
Ultimately, he didn`t quite impose himself on a game that seemed less suited for a deep-lying playmaker focused on precise passing. Crucially, despite the challenging circumstances, Zubimendi performed the fundamental tasks competently. After his initial three misplaced passes, he maintained perfect distribution until the second half. Off the ball, the 26-year-old tidied up play effectively, covering significant ground – only Martin Odegaard ran further. Throughout the season, there will undoubtedly be matches where he completes significantly more passes or delivers a standout through ball. For now, what manager Mikel Arteta truly desired from his deepest midfielder was a reliable, solid presence – a performance that might go unnoticed unless closely scrutinized. That is precisely what Zubimendi provided, and it was perfectly acceptable.
Noni Madueke: A Quiet Contribution
Similarly, Noni Madueke`s brief 30-minute appearance, during which he touched the ball only 15 times, offered little beyond a `perfectly acceptable` performance. He did create one scoring opportunity, delivering a clever pass to Declan Rice at the edge of the penalty area, and came close to scoring late on, only to be denied by a heroic block from Bruno Fernandes on Bukayo Saka`s cross. Madueke`s limited impact was not unexpected, as Arsenal adopted a deeply defensive posture in the closing minutes.
More significantly for Madueke`s future at Arsenal were the struggles of the player he replaced, Gabriel Martinelli. Martinelli was ineffective, frequently misplacing passes, and offered minimal offensive threat. The Brazilian has faced considerable fan criticism during preseason and appears a shadow of the explosive attacker he was three years ago. While Arsenal is actively seeking to reinforce their wide attacking options, it would not be surprising if Madueke secures a starting position when Leeds visits the Emirates Stadium next Saturday.
