Manchester United

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United youngster Sekou Kone fractured his eye socket in a collision at Tamworth last week that led to the National League Cup tie being abandoned.

Kone had to be stretchered off after suffering a heavy blow to the head as he tried to clear a first-half corner.

The match was called off after Kone had received lengthy on-field treatment. He spent the night in hospital but returned to Manchester on Thursday morning.

It is not known when the Mali born player will be fit to return but initially it is almost certain it will require him to wear a mask.

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Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Ian asked: Why do you think Manchester United are dragging their feet when it comes to buying a new keeper with the opportunity to buy Emi Martinez from Aston Villa or Donnarumma from PSG, when clearly there is a major keeper issue to sort out?

Phil answered: I think they felt they had priorities to sort out at the other end of the pitch first, but it is clearly something that has been preying on their mind over the summer. Andre Onana is not good enough and neither is Altay Bayindir, as he proved against Arsenal on Sunday.

Some Aston Villa fans may regard this as sacrilege, but I actually think Emi Martinez is overrated. He is certainly not "the world's number one", as we are so often told. Far from it, in fact.

Donnarumma, though, is definitely a deal worth exploring if United can get anywhere near it.

Read more from Phil's Q&A

Alex Turk
Fan writer

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Manchester United supporters left Old Trafford on Sunday with the far-too-familiar taste of defeat in their mouths.

Arsenal's 1-0 triumph condemned United to an eighth loss in 14 home matches in Ruben Amorim's reign. Only four wins and two draws have come in that period.

Over 73,000 fans emptied the grand stadium, having watched the hosts fail to score for a 12th time in 43 matches since the Portuguese head coach's arrival.

Yet, while the taste was familiar, it came with a special type of seasoning. Hope, optimism, encouragement, whatever you want to call it. This was not a defeat like last season.

There were signs of improvement and progress all over the pitch, except for Amorim's primary problem position, in goal.

But let's focus on the attack. It was United's most prominent weakness last season, but over £200m later, it could quickly become this side's strength.

Football is a simple game. You put better, more-suited players on the pitch, you usually reap the rewards.

United's 22 shots on David Raya's goal, nine of which came inside the penalty area, made up their highest tally in a league match against Arsenal since that famous 8-2 win in August 2011.

It took Matheus Cunha one game to prove he can carry the weight of the United shirt in the biggest games. He lit up Old Trafford and will continue to do so.

Bryan Mbeumo was equally as entertaining and on another day would have left with a debut goal. He will score plenty of them. Benjamin Sesko emerged from the bench as he builds up his fitness.

Without a new goalkeeper or midfielder, there is a ceiling over what United can achieve this season. But, if anything, we will be thoroughly entertained. The same could not be said about 2024-25.

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external

Former Wolves defender Conor Coady says the Manchester United shirt won't weigh heavy on Matheus Cunha because he plays "with no fear."

"I absolutely love him," Coady said about his former team mate on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "He is an outstanding footballer with an appetite to do well.

"When you go to a club like Manchester United you have to play with no fear and I think he is like that every time he steps on the pitch.

"We knew the type of player he was at Wolves, in terms of his character and mentality to want to take Wolves to the next level.

"The shirt can be heavy for certain players, but I certainly don't think it will be heavy for him.

"I played against him last season and he just doesn't stop. He has the ability to get on the ball and really make things happen.

"He will score goals and he will create chances so I think it was a fantastic signing for United."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

With just one win in their past 10 Premier League games, only a fool would say Manchester United have actually been getting better in the past six months under Ruben Amorim.

And yet, that is exactly what the stats suggest.

While starting from a low bar, United have been dominating games more and more since the start of March - creating more, and better chances than their opponents overall across the past 12 games.

The problem has been in both boxes, with the side scoring seven goals fewer than we would expect historically given the chances they have had, and conceding two more than expected at the other end.

The below graph shows United's 28 Premier League games under Amorim so far, with the falling red line showing their changing 10-game non-penalty goal difference (their results) and the climbing yellow one showing their expected goal difference (their dominance in games).

In fact, since the start of March only five teams have a better non-penalty expected goal difference than United, but the Red Devils have taken far fewer points than the teams around them.

Why is all this 'expected goals' stuff important when - at the end of the day - scoring and conceding actual goals is the only thing that matters?

Because, history tells us that football is a simple game - the more a team creates lots of good chances up front while allowing few bad ones at the back, the more success they have in the long-term.

While what a team does in both boxes is obviously very important, not even the most blessed teams - or the most cursed - can 'cheat' their expected goal numbers forever.

Like the belly and the rhythm, the xG is eventually going to get you.

Inter Milan are monitoring the situation of Andre Onana, with speculation still growing over the goalkeeper's future at Manchester United. (Sun, external)

United winger Jadon Sancho has rejected the chance to join Roma, who were willing to pay a £20m transfer fee. (Talksport, external)

Meanwhile, Napoli are set to enter the race to sign striker Rasmus Hojlund, who is in talks with AC Milan. (Sport Italia - in Italian, external)

United will consider letting Hojlund leave Old Trafford on loan but are adamant he is not being forced out of the club. (Guardian, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

The latest episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast has landed.

Hosts Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath discuss Manchester United's defeat by Arsenal in their opening Premier League game of the season.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney says there were "lots of positives" to take from the performance against Arsenal even if it ended in defeat.

Speaking on his BBC podcast - The Wayne Rooney Show - he said: "Obviously it was a disappointing result, but I think there were lots of positives within the game.

"Matheus Cunha looked fantastic. I loved the way he picked the ball up and he was driving at players, playing with the freedom and the creativity, which maybe we've been lacking in the last few years.

"Bryan Mbeumo started really well. He came out of the game a little bit, but then got back into it.

"Benjamin Sesko did what we expected him to do when he came on. He held the ball up, he put himself in the middle of the goal and he was waiting to try and get chances.

"So I think there's lots of positives.

"There's still a concern for me in the middle of the pitch, with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.

"I think they need more legs in there. Bruno is a fantastic player and I want to see him a bit higher up the pitch where he can be more creative and try and create and score goals.

"Casemiro, I just think was just a little bit weak in there in covering the full width of the pitch.

"I don't know what has happened with Kobbie Mainoo but he looks like he's not in the manager's plans."

Listen to the full discussion on United on the Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sounds

With Manchester United's new striker Benjamin Sesko eased into action as a substitute, Matheus Cunha was initially tasked with leading the line against Arsenal. Despite a preference for playing slightly deeper, the Brazilian menaced Arsenal's defence all afternoon and was only denied a debut goal by David Raya's fingertips.

Cunha had four shots, second only to team-mate Bryan Mbeumo, who also gave United more attacking thrust despite being tightly marked throughout the game.

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Former Premier League goalkeeper David James gave his analysis on whether Altay Bayindir was at fault for Arsenal's goal against Manchester United on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"There were two issues with the goal," said James. "The first was Bayindir getting involved with William Saliba before the corner-kick was taken.

"Saliba ran across the front and I actually think it was a foul on Mason Mount because Saliba nearly dragged his shirt off to get in front of Bayindir.

"But by getting involved with Saliba, everyone has now got arms on each other and Bayindir is in no position to do anything decent from where he is.

"If it had been given as a foul on Mount, then perhaps then, all of the brilliance United showed after might have put them in a position to win the game rather than trying not to lose it."

See what fellow goalkeeper Joe Hart had to say on it on Match of the Day below...

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Manchester United are braced for an offer from Chelsea for Alejandro Garnacho but are determined not to let the young winger leave on the cheap.

Senior United figures believe Garnacho is keen to move to Stamford Bridge, which is the main reason why he is still at Old Trafford nearly three months after head coach Ruben Amorim told him to find a new club.

The relationship between the two sides has deteriorated and on Sunday a picture of Garnacho close to Old Trafford was defaced.

However, the manner of his exit is hugely important as Amorim looks to reshape his squad.

As an academy graduate, the money raised will have a significant impact on United's profit and sustainability situation.

However, the negotiations - when they eventually start - will be a major test for the Old Trafford club's director of football negotiations, Matt Hargreaves, and director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell.

United know Chelsea will attempt to drive the price down for 21-year-old Garnacho.

Yet insiders at Old Trafford note the Blues' reluctance to sell one of their unwanted forwards, Christopher Nkunku, to Bayern Munich for less than £50m and feel that should guide the London club's valuation of Argentina international Garnacho, who they consider to be a better player.

Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho is still to decide whether to accept the opportunity to join Roma.

The Serie A outfit have lodged an official bid for the 25-year-old. While United are yet to respond, the deal - thought to be worth in the region of £20m - is similar to what they are looking for and can form the basis for talks.

However, Sancho is still to confirm whether he is willing to accept it.

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

United fans

Richard: I agree with Ruben Amorim - we were clearly the better team and deserved something from the game. In the end, it was a story of two goalkeepers. It's brutal to say, but it's evidence that winning the title by 2028 will need a different person between the posts.

Danyal: For the first time in a while, it was a strange feeling after defeat. We played well and should've probably taken at least a point from this game! The new signings have definitely showed why they were brought in, but we still need to strengthen that midfield before the window closes - otherwise it will always be a mismatch. Regardless, let's move on to the next match. This is a long season but the signs are there.

Jonathan: United were superb. Huge improvements from the ineptitude of last season. Terrible from our keeper, although could have been a foul. Arsenal got very lucky - particularly with the obvious penalty for Cunha. Better days are definitely ahead. We all need to hold our nerve and back our charismatic and capable manager.

Arsenal fans

Matt: Don't judge too soon - only look at the league after the first seven or eight games. Better to start slow while picking up points than peak too early. Martinelli offers little threat and Saka still hasn't hit his best form since his return from injury last season. But we'll come good.

June: Same old, same old. If Gyokeres is going to play up front they have to change the way they get the ball to him. He needs balls he can run on to because he's a proper centre-forward. He's not going to come to get the ball so they have to deliver it.

Kevin: All in all, a good result. Three points at Old Trafford is never easy. Saka and Martinelli are under-performing and becoming very predictable. We need to adapt to the strengths of our new players. But I still feel very optimistic for the future. It's early days yet but I can see the potential, especially with young players like Max Dowman coming through.

Pundits Danny Murphy and Joe Hart join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

• Nottingham Forest 3-1 Brentford

• Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal

Manchester United are weighing up whether to make a bid for Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton, 21. (Talksport), external

United are considering a shock move to bring goalkeeper David de Gea back to the club from Fiorentina. (Sun), external

However, United have committed their transfer funds to other positions after enquiring about Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, 32, and Paris St-Germain and Italy stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma, 26. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

AC Milan are keen to push through a 35m euros (£30.2m) deal for United forward Rasmus Hojlund, but are also considering Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic as an alternative. (La Gazzetta dello Sport), external

Jadon Sancho's salary is the sticking point in a £20m move from Old Trafford to Roma. The winger is keen to see if any other clubs step in and match his weekly wages of about £250,000. (Teamtalk), external

Meanwhile, Roma have also made contact with United about a deal for left-back Tyrell Malacia, who is also interesting Besiktas. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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The enthusiastic applause from the home fans that followed initial disappointment, at the end of six minutes of injury time that did not bring the equaliser they craved, told its own story about Manchester United's performance.

They recorded 20 shots in a Premier League game against Arsenal for the first time since August 2011.

On that occasion, they scored eight times. This time, there was nothing.

Ruben Amorim spent most of last season grumbling about not taking opportunities. Yet this didn't seem like one of those days. Two-thirds of his new £200m strikeforce started the game - and Matheus Cunha, who is clearly going to be a crowd favourite because of the fight he shows in every moment, and Bryan Mbeumo were excellent.

Casemiro's passing range was superb. Patrick Dorgu was outstanding at left wing-back and Matthijs de Ligt a rock in central defence.

But they conceded far too easily.

It is easy to imagine United goalkeeping great Peter Schmeichel just barging William Saliba out of the way once Declan Rice's pinpoint corner was heading under the crossbar. Edwin van der Sar was far too cute to be caught out so easily.

Altay Bayindir ended up in a position from which he could have no influence. And Amorim, and Andre Onana, who was at Old Trafford for the game, would only watch in despair.

In the brutal world of professional sport, results mask everything.

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Manchester United lost 0-1 at home to Arsenal in their opening Premier League match on Sunday and boss Ruben Amorim believes his side were 'the better team' but need to focus if they want to win matches.

"We deserved more and we were the better team, that is clear but in the end we lost," Amorim told BBC Match of the Day.

"We need to work on the things, we need to improve. We need to defend set pieces. We did a lot things right but there are a lot of things, without seeing the video, that we need to work on. I am really proud of my players.

"We were more aggressive and brave. In certain moments I think Bryan [Mbeumo] and [Matheus] Cunha helped a lot. We stuck to the plan even when the stadium is nervous, we continued to play the way we played and that will help us in the future.

"They [the fans] want that feeling again. We go to Old Trafford and we are not going to get bored. We need to win more than last season but they want to see something and feel something.

On Cunha and Mbeumo debuts: "Everybody can understand they are very good players for that position. It didn't need a lot work to feel that is their position.

Speaking to Sky Sports about the Arsenal goal, he added: "Sometimes it happened last year. It's not playing the ball. I understand we want goals but when you are touching the goalkeeper, sometimes you are pushing and you don't have more hands to go for the ball.

"We need to be stronger. We are not changing the rules, we have to adapt to the rules. Today I think we are the better team.

"We have players to win any game of the Premier League. We need to focus and forget about the noise. It doesn't matter who is playing, we want to win games."