Amorim: Improved display was down to intensity & bravery

NEXT FOR UNITED: FULHAM (A) SUNDAY

- By IAN PARKER

RUBEN AMORIM insisted Manchester United's improved performance in Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal was down to the intensity and bravery of his players rather than any tactical tweaks to his system.

One of the best displays in recent memory from United went unrewarded as an Altay Bayindir error allowed Riccardo Calafiori to head Arsenal in front early on, with United unable to convert any of their 22 attempts at goal.

Although they suffered defeat, many United fans left Old Trafford feeling upbeat about the impact of new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in a revitalised attack that kept Arsenal pegged back for long stretches.

After Amorim arrived midway through last term, United appeared to struggle to adapt to his 3-4-3 system for much of a season that ended with a 15th-placed finish in the Premier League, their worst campaign in 51 years.