Ruben Amorim sets unwanted 16-year record as Man Utd bitten by biggest problem

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Manchester United suffered defeat in their opening Premier League match of the season, falling to a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford - a goal from a set piece proving the difference between the two sides.

That the Gunners’ winner should have come about that way shouldn’t have been a surprise. Ruben Amorim may have splashed £200million on a new attack this summer, but conceding from corners has troubled United more than any other side in the past two seasons; no one has conceded more from corners than their 23 goals in the Premier League since the start of 2023-24.

Conversely, over that same period, Arsenal have scored 31 times. That’s 11 more than the next best: Liverpool on 20.

For all that fingers will be pointed at stand-in ‘keeper Altay Bayindir for his role in Riccardo Calafiori’s winner - and fingers will indeed be pointed at the Turkey international because it was weak, dismal goalkeeping under the tiniest amount of pressure from William Saliba - the goal was just the continuation of a very familiar theme for United.

Amorim promised a new era when he spoke to the crowd at the end of last season, but he needs to stamp out such overfamiliar problems. They will continue to cost his side until he does. And such stupid goals will continue to be conceded so long as his players aren't willing to point fingers at one another and call out mistakes.

"When you touch the goalkeeper and he can't jump, that makes it difficult for Bayindir," said captain Bruno Fernandes. "And unfortunately he couldn't keep it out of the goal."

Roy Keane on Sky Sports post-match was in no mood for being so forgiving, roaring: "It's schoolboy stuff!"

READ MORE: Gary Neville destroys Altay Bayindir for Arsenal goal: 'It's going to keep hurting Man Utd'

READ MORE: Man Utd howler gifts Arsenal three points in Premier League opener - 5 talking points

United looked far better than the side that finished 15th last season – their worst top-flight campaign since 1974. But still they were beaten. This was far from a vintage performance from Arsenal. They were some way below their best. But they walk away with three points and an opening day success away from home.

Indeed, Arsenal allowed 22 shots on their goal. The last time United managed that many against the Gunners in the Premier League, they managed 25 and scored EIGHT in an infamous 8-2 thrashing 14 years ago. This time, David Raya only made one real save of note, a brilliant low fingertip save to deny £62.5m Matheus Cunha.

For Amorim, it was his 15th defeat in 28 Premier League games. Remarkably, it is the fastest a manager has reached 15 defeats in the top flight - provided he hasn't taken over a newly promoted team - since Paul Hart hit 15 losses in 27 games as Portsmouth boss in 2009, 16 years ago.

More will almost certainly follow unless he improves his side's defending at set pieces. He can focus on having his side play 'his way' as much as he likes. But they need to start doing the rest right too.

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