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Two Man Utd players looked fitter and stronger against Arsenal, according to Rio Ferdinand

Originally posted on HITC | By Adnan Riaz | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 11:09 AM ET

Rio Ferdinand has highlighted two Manchester United players for their performances against Arsenal, pointing to one main reason why they stood out.

The Red Devils kicked off the new Premier League season with Ruben Amorim in charge, hosting Mikel Arteta’s side at Old Trafford.

Despite the result, United showed plenty of positives and held their own against an Arsenal side expected to challenge for th e title again this season. But it was Calafiori’s early goal that made the difference, leaving United playing catch-up from the start.

United pressed hard for an equaliser but couldn’t break through a solid Arsenal defence, with David Raya making key saves to keep them out.

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Amorim’s team showed encouraging signs in possession and pressing but ultimately left empty-handed after falling behind early. It wasn’t the ideal start under a new manager, but there were positives to take away from how they played.

Rio Ferdinand gives strong verdict on Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw after Arsenal defeat

Leny Yoro lined up on the right of a bac k three and played the full match, while Luke Shaw started on the left but was replaced by Harry Maguire late in the second half.

Matthijs de Ligt took up the central role in Ruben Amorim’s defensive setup, also completing the full 90 minutes. Despite the result, both defenders received praise for their individual efforts.

Ferdinand highlighted how much more settled they look under Amorim compared to last season.

“Lenny Yoro and Luke Shaw, especially [for] how comfortable they look now and how much improved they are,” he added. “They look fitter, stronger, and more composed in defensive situations as well.”

Ruben Amorim’s choice of Man Utd roles for Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw

Leny Yoro has featured on both sides of the three-man defence, while Luke Shaw has settled into a role in the backline rather than his usual spot as a wing-back.

Ferdinand pointed out that having a solid foundation with players like Shaw and Yoro is crucial for improving how the team moves forward from the back.

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“That sets the foundation and springboard for us [Man United] to attack and for those prominent forwards that we are hopefully going to see more consistent output from,” the United legend continued.

United will now travel away from home for their next Premier League match of the new season, with Fulham hosting the Red Devils at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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