Talk of the Devils: The Athletic FC's Manchester United show

Defeat to Arsenal but cause for optimism?

21 snips
Aug 18, 2025
Manchester United faced a tough home defeat against Arsenal, but there are glimmers of hope among the disappointment. New signings Cunha and Mbeumo impressed, raising optimism about the team's prospects. The critical role of goalkeeping comes under scrutiny, especially after a pivotal error. Fans feel the emotional shifts surrounding player transfers and the atmosphere at matches. Amidst challenges, discussions on tactical improvements and player performances hint at potential growth as the season unfolds.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Performance Encouraging Despite Defeat

  • Manchester United's performance felt encouraging despite the loss because energy, intensity and new signings stood out.
  • The panel believe sustained displays like that could translate to wins even if results didn't today.
INSIGHT

New Forwards Made Immediate Impact

  • Matheus Cunha and Brennan Mbeumo impressed individually and as part of the team on debut.
  • Their energy, ball-carrying and chances give cause for optimism about United's attack.
INSIGHT

United Dominated Territory Not Scoreline

  • The game balance suggested United dictated the match tempo and created more chaos to unsettle Arsenal.
  • XG and shot volumes confirmed United had the better attacking output but lacked a finishing touch.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app