Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal result - Riccardo Calafiori heads winner as Mikel Arteta's Gunners start season with Old Trafford win

Riccardo Calafiori headed home early on for Arsenal as Mikel Arteta's side battled to a 1-0 win against a vibrant Manchester United side at Old Trafford.

The decisive moment came in the 13th minute when Calafiori popped up at the back post to nod home Declan Rice's corner after home goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, in for the missing Andre Onana, claimed he had been impeded by William Saliba in a crowded box.

Despite the vehement protests of the home side, VAR agreed with the initial call of referee Simon Hooper as the goal was given.

It was a serious blow to United, who began the match brightly with new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo providing a constant nuisance to The Gunners throughout the match.

The nearest they came to scoring was a blistering hit by Patrick Dorgu that came off a post and spun wide with Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya beaten diving low to his left on 30 minutes, before Raya expertly clawed out a Cunha effort before the break.

United, who had 22 shots on goal, continued to press forward in the second half, but were repelled by the positional sense of Saliba and Gabriel, who both enjoyed outstanding performances at the heart of the visiting defence.

Ruben Amorim's energised side will aim to build on an encouraging start when they visit Fulham next Sunday, with Arsenal hosting Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

"The result was incredible in this atmosphere with their new signings," said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the 1-0 opening-day win.

"The reason we won was because of a set-piece and the way we reacted to mistakes.

"When you are not at your best as a team at venues like this and win, it is a massive statement.

"We need to be very honest with the things we have to improve upon.

"But we will take the result."

"It's the first game of the season so we cannot speak about a step forwards," Bruno Fernandes said on Sky Sports.

"We conceded a goal from a set-piece early on, but from then on Arsenal didn't create any chances.

"We created lots of chances and didn't score so we have to do better next time. We controlled the game well, we were good on the ball.

"We created some chances, but we didn't score so that is the main negative of the day. When you touch the goalkeeper and he can't jump, that makes it difficult for [Altay] Bayindir.

"We know in the Premier League they don't give much. Even if they had a meeting with us saying that they will whistle more if players block and don't look at the ball but it is more of a saying."

Fernandes also praised the performances of new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

"They created a lot, they were in the right positions," he said. "We know they are dangerous and they are a threat.

"We are very aware of what they can give to the team. It was a good first impression for them, but I'm pretty sure they will do much better."

Manager Ruben Amorim said: "I'm really proud of the guys. They were really brave in everything they did during the game. Congratulations for the performance.

"We deserved a different result and we need to move forward to the next one."

It is a 1-0 win for Arsenal, who begin the season with a narrow victory against their old foes at Old Trafford. Was not exceptional, but all that matters is a winning start. Three points for The Gunners. 1-0 to the Arsenal sounds good on such a frantic opening day.

Arteta stalking that touchline as United opt to throw the kitchen sink at this in the dying seconds. Timber doing well to head the ball away under pressure from Maguire. United with the corner. Fernandes throws it in. Saliba meets it before Raya comes off his line to collect.

Not sure how they managed to mess up the corner, but Myles Lewis-Skelly has been booked for a late one on the willing runs of Bryan Mbeumo. Gunners deal well with the hopeful United free-kick. Almost a done deal here.

Looks like Timber has also picked up a yellow card for wasting time. De Ligt doing well to make the block on Saka, whose shot was heading goalwards. Arsenal have a corner.

De Ligt operating as a forward in the visiting box, and gets a shot away, but Arsenal do well to repel the home attacks. Sesko heads well wide after Cunha goes to ground. But nothing doing. Still 1-0 to Arsenal.

They've done the hard part in this game by keeping United at bay despite the home side's best efforts. So close to three hard-fought points on the opening day. Which Arteta will happily take on such a fraught day. Ugarte drives a hopeful shot miles wide.

But not really going anywhere with the ball before Dorgu is penalised then booked for a late tackle on Jurrien Timber. Arsenal happy to run down the clock. Raya then booked for time-wasting.

Almost like a golf shot as he tries to bend that ball around the wall, but it clips the red shirts and hits the side netting on way past. Off goes Rice to be replaced by Mikel Merino. Corner from Saka comes to nothing.

The towering England defender bounds on to replace Luke Shaw. Perhaps he can unearth a later leveller for the home side? Late challenge by Maguire on Havertz.

Passing moves are troubling the Gunners, but another attack ends with a tame shot from Diallo ending up in the arms of Raya. Clock is ticking out there.

Hard to say they wouldn't deserve something from this match. Have matched up well against the Gunners.

Dorgu on the charge down the left flank. Bryan Mbeumo with a decent header at goal from the cross, but Arsenal goalkeeper Raya is down to his left to make the stop.

Ben White is carrying a knock and leaves the field with goalscorer Riccardo Calafiori replaced by Jurrien Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Some powerful running by Cunha from deep. Has been a real feature for United before Bryan Mbeumo sees a shot blocked and then hooks a shot wide from the overhead effort. More changes on the go here.

A quarter of match to go. Could do with another goal here as United look dangerous.

The heat really makes it a wise move to get the team freshened up. Benjamin Sesko replaces Mason Mount and Manuel Ugarte is on for Casemiro seconds after Rice shot is held by United goalie Bayindir.