Man United 0-1 Arsenal PLAYER RATINGS: Who got bullied in his duel? Which player was electrifying? And how did new boys Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko fare?

August 17, 2025

Manchester United 2.0 under Ruben Amorim suffered an all-too familiar defeat at Old Trafford as Arsenal ran out 1-0 winners on the opening weekend.

A calamitous error from Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir allowed Riccardo Calafiori to nod in the only goal of a pulsating game.

Manchester United’s £200million attack in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko all got game time, as did Arsenal’s big striker signing, Viktor Gyokores, all to varying degrees of success.

So, who delivered in the biggest game of the opening weekend? And who fell well short of expectations? Daily Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT and RIATH AL-SAMARRAI were on hand at Old Trafford to rate both sets of players.

Arsenal rode their luck to grind out a crucial 1-0 win at Old Trafford against Man United

An error from Altay Bayindir was costly as Riccardo Calafiori nodded in the winner on the line

MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-2-1)

Altay Bayindir – 4.5

Incredibly weak goalkeeping when trying to palm away an Arsenal corner that gifted Ricardo Calafiori the opener on the line. Preferred to Andre Onana but, much like the Cameroonian, always gives the impression he’s got a rick in him.

Leny Yoro – 5.5

Got dragged in to too many wrestling matches with Viktor Gyokeres and found himself bullied on most of those occasions. He’s a fabulous player but this wasn’t an afternoon where he got to show off those attributes.

Matthjis De Ligt – 7

Got the nod over Harry Maguire to anchor the back three as the central centre back. The way he shrugged off Bukayo Saka to bring Old Trafford back to life in the second half a sign of his growing confidence as a Manchester United player.

Luke Shaw – 6.5

Has taken a lot of criticism on the chin in recent times about his lack of availability but here he was for 90 minutes putting in a real shift. The fact Arsenal were restricted to little to no chances after their goal was aided in no small part by Shaw’s experience, which won him the role ahead of young Ayden Heaven.

Diogo Dalot – 6

Kept Gabriel Martinelli quiet and was a willing runner going the other way too. Got his delivery into the box wrong on more than one occasion but this was solid from the Portuguese. He’s one of Amorim’s trusted lieutenants for a reason.

Diogo Dalot is one of Amorim’s trusted lieutenants and he shut down Arsenal’s left-hand side

Casemiro made the most tackles on the pitch before he was taken off to a standing ovation

Casemiro – 7

The often maligned midfielder had no interest in leaving the club this summer and vowed to fight for his minutes. Here he made the most tackles in the game and covered 7.5km. Left to a standing ovation.

Bruno Fernandes – 6

First, a positive: Bruno Fernandes didn’t have to play every position on the pitch. When United suffer this is often what he tends to do. He was more positionally disciplined here but just couldn’t stitch together the final pass or shot.

Patrick Dorgu – 6.5

So much more adventurous than he was last season. Rattled the post half hour in with a venomous strike and provided a constant threat out wide. In a system that hinges on the wing-backs, this has to be a sign of things to come from Dorgu. Booked.

Bryan Mbeumo – 8

Best player on the pitch on his Premier League debut for Manchester United. He seemed to be everywhere and time after time put Calafiori on skates while on the counter-attack. Forced the save of the match out of David Raya with a second half header. The exact type of player Manchester United have been crying out for.

Mason Mount – 7

He’s had a lot of false dawns since joining from Chelsea but, with England manager Thomas Tuchel watching on, this represented one of his better games in United red. Easy to see why Ruben Amorim loves him so much with the effort he provides.

Matheus Cunha – 7.5

Started as the No 9 but floated all over the front line. The dynamism he brings to this team is going to be central to how Amorim wants this group to play. Was denied a first United goal by the fingertips of Raya at the end of the first half. Electrifying when in full flight.

MANAGER: Ruben Amorim – 5

Came out as the loser but these are the types of performance that show a brighter future ahead. Next to none of the defeats last season provided such evidence. But he lost in the Premier League – again. That can’t keep happening no matter how optimistic things look.

Bryan Mbeumo was a nuisance for Arsenal all afternoon on a thoroughly encouraging display

Ruben Amorim came out on the losing side but there was a lot to like from this performance

SUBS

Amad Diallo (for Diogo Dalot, 55) – 7.5

Manuel Ugarte (for Casemiro, 65) – 6

Benjamin Sesko (for Mason Mount, 65) – 6

Harry Maguire (for Luke Shaw, 80)

ARSENAL (4-3-3)

David Raya – 7

Aside from a sloppy early moment when almost caught in possession by Cunha, a strong performance. Two very good saves to stop Cunha and Mbeumo. 7

Ben White – 6

Caused some concern by coming off injured midway through the second half. Occasionally guilty of straying too far forward.

William Saliba – 6.5

Should have got tighter to Dorgu in first-half move that saw United wideman hit the post. Settled into the game and had a good tussle with Cunha.

Gabriel Magalhaes – 6.5

Weak in a couple of challenges against Cunha and, like Saliba, appeared to be rattled on occasion by the speed of the match. Covered well when Calafiori went on his adventures upfield.

Gabriel Magalhaes (left) had his hands full when Benjamin Sesko came on off the bench

Riccardo Calafiori – 6.5

Scored the opener and largely solid in duel with Mbuemo, but forward runs regularly left space for Dalot and Mbeumo to exploit. Booked. 6.5

Martin Odegaard – 7.5

Arsenal’s best player for large periods – he revels in these frantic games in his ability to find space and time in the chaos. Continues to set the tempo for the entire side.

Martin Zebimendi – 7

Clumsy early foul on Fernandes and unable to establish a dominant presence, but subtly strong with a series of short, line-breaking balls. Improved in second half.

Declan Rice – 6.5

Picking up where he left off with a set-piece assist for 1-0, but will feel he and Zubimendi might have done better in controlling the middle. Went close with a late free-kick.

Bukayo Saka – 5

Received some service from Odegaard but struggled to find Gyokeres and had limited one-on-one success against Dorgu.

Viktor Gyokeres – 5

Worked hard and occasionally bullied Yoro with his strength, but an underwhelming debut. A couple of loose touches and no shots before being replaced on the hour. Struggled with hold-up play, leaving Arsenal without an out-ball under pressure.

Viktor Gyokeres had an underwhelming Premier League debut for Arsenal before being subbed

Gabriel Martinelli – 5.5

A performance mostly notable for an air-shot when he attempted a bicycle kick. Worked hard enough but no real impact. Replaced after an hour.

MANAGER – Mikel Arteta – 7

Can’t knock an away win at Manchester United, but his instructions for White and Calafiori to bomb on was a hire-wire act that almost backfired. Same for relentlessly playing out from defence.