Manchester United delivered plenty of the football they wanted to show on opening day, territory, pressure, and chance volume, but still lost 1–0 to Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, August 17. The game’s only goal came on 13 minutes: Riccardo Calafiori nodded in from a corner after United keeper Altay Bayındır failed to deal with Declan Rice’s delivery. United finished with 61% possession and 22 shots, forcing David Raya into several saves, but no breakthrough.
The Talking Points (and the Controversy)
United fans were furious that the goal stood, arguing Bayındır was impeded in the scramble; VAR did not overturn the on-field decision. There was also a late penalty appeal that went nowhere, adding to the sense of grievance inside the ground. Beyond officiating, the bigger issue is United’s box efficiency: new forwards created looks but lacked the finish, while Arsenal’s set-piece edge decided the contest.
What It Means for United’s Next Match
Rúben Amorim’s side travels to Fulham on Sunday, August 24. After conceding from a corner and failing to convert volume into goals, expect an emphasis on set-piece defending, clarity on the goalkeeping spot, and sharper decision-making in the final third. For context, Fulham opened with a 1–1 draw at Brighton, so Craven Cottage won’t be easy. A response there would steady nerves; another stumble would crank up early-season pressure.
La Liga: Barcelona Shine, Atlético Stumble
In Spain, Barcelona kicked off their title defence with a comfortable 3–0 win over Mallorca, who finished the match with nine men. Raphinha and rising star Lamine Yamal found the net, while Marcus Rashford made his Barça debut off the bench.
Elsewhere in La Liga:
Girona, Valencia, and Real Sociedad all dropped points in draws.
Atlético Madrid were stunned in a 2–1 defeat to Espanyol.
Athletic Club edged Sevilla 3–2 in a thriller.
Getafe shocked Celta Vigo 2–0.
Villarreal started strong with a 2–0 win over Real Oviedo.
Ligue 1: A Competitive Start in France
The French Ligue 1 season began with tight margins and surprise results:
- Rennes edged Marseille 1–0.
- Monaco impressed with a 3–1 victory over Le Havre.
- Lyon held off Lens with a 1–0 win.
- Toulouse stunned Nice 1–0 away.
- Newly promoted Angers marked their return by beating Paris FC 1–0.
The opening weekend hinted at a balanced and competitive campaign, with traditional giants already feeling pressure.
Germany: Bayern Munich Lifts Supercup, Early Cup Shocks
Germany had no Bundesliga action this weekend as the league begins on August 22, but Bayern Munich still made headlines by lifting the German Supercup with a 2–1 win over Stuttgart, Harry Kane and Luis Díaz getting on the scoresheet. The DFB-Pokal first round produced upsets too: Werder Bremen crashed out in a shock 1–0 defeat to third-tier Arminia Bielefeld, while fourth-tier Illertissen stunned Nürnberg on penalties.
Italy: Coppa Italia Heats Up Before Serie A Kick-Off
In Italy, Serie A has yet to begin—its first round kicks off next weekend—but the Coppa Italia delivered drama. AC Milan beat Bari 2–0 at San Siro in front of over 70,000 fans, with Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic providing the goals. Leão’s calf injury after scoring the opener raised some concerns, but Milan’s early cup form will give them momentum heading into the league start.
Across Europe, the new season opened with excitement and shockwaves: Barcelona and Bayern flexed their strength, Atlético and Werder faltered, and AC Milan laid down an early marker in the Coppa Italia.
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