Manchester Arsenal 2-1 during pre-season friendly Two injured for Man Utd
Striker Rasmus Hojlund and £52 million recruit Leny Yoro both sustained injuries in the first half as Manchester United fell 2-1 to Manchester Arsenal in their opening match of the US tour in Los Angeles.
Hojlund had put Manchester United ahead in the 10th minute, capitalizing on a swift pass from Marcus Rashford. He overpowered young defender Ayden Heaven and then scored past goalkeeper Karl Hein with a shot that slipped through his legs.
MUTV
With the previous season marred by many injuries under manager Erik ten Hag, losing two key players just weeks before the new Premier League season begins against Fulham on August 16th is less than ideal.
We’ll need to wait 24 hours for more details,” Ten Hag said in an interview with MUTV. It’s disappointing to see Leny leave the field, but let’s stay optimistic and see what the results reveal.
Despite a promising start, Ten Hag was not pleased with the outcome. Gabriel Jesus equalized with a close-range goal in the 25th minute, which Ten Hag felt should have been ruled offside. Gabriel Martinelli secured the victory by slicing past 17-year-old James Scanlon to score the decisive goal.
Manchester United did secure victory in the subsequent penalty shoot-out, with Jadon Sancho converting the decisive spot-kick for a 4-3 win.
Readmore Injury Simone Biles Shakes During Olympic Gymnastics Qualifying 2024
Injury woe for Ten Hag
Ten Hag highlighted the increased demands on players this season during his pre-match press conference, describing the campaign as a “survival of the fittest” and acknowledging that injuries were an expected challenge.
The reality of the situation seemed to surpass his concerns as both Hojlund and Yoro sustained injuries during the match. Holland appeared to suffer a groin issue and headed straight for the tunnel, while Yoro, who received extended treatment, walked off slowly and appeared to be in significant discomfort.
20-year-old Rhys Bennett
Victor Lindelof was sidelined with a minor injury, leading 20-year-old Rhys Bennett—who spent part of last season on loan at Stockport—to partner with Harry Maguire in defence.
Despite the injury setbacks, Ten Hag could take some solace in performing midfielder Mason Mount. The former Chelsea player, who had struggled with injuries last season, showed flashes of his old form in front of over 60,000 fans and posed a genuine threat on the pitch.
Arsenal in the groove
As with the Bournemouth match four days prior, Emile Smith-Rowe was absent from Arsenal’s squad as discussions continue regarding a potential transfer to Fulham.
Riccardo Calafiori is anticipated to be announced as a new signing within the next 48 hours. With key players like Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka expected to join the team upon their return to London, Manchester Arsenal’s lineup will undergo significant changes.
Arsenal
Despite these transitions , Manchester Arsenal showed impressive fluidity in possession that their opponents struggled to match. One sequence of play was cut short to the manager’s displeasure when captain Martin Odegaard seemed to be fouled by Bennett without a free-kick being awarded.
Gabriel Jesus stood out with his lively performance, while Martinelli, fresh off his Copa America duties with Brazil, made an impact as a substitute with 19 minutes remaining.
By that point, Jonny Evans was the sole experienced defender for the United, and Martinelli capitalized on this to secure the win for Manchester Arsenal.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Martinelli’s performance, stating, “After just one training session, he comes in and plays at such a high level. That’s the mentality of our team and individuals.”
Arteta also noted, “Gabriel looks exceptionally sharp. He has made significant improvements over the summer. You can see it in his demeanour, rhythm, and sharpness. There’s a spark in his eyes, and now he has something to prove, which is a positive thing.”
What type of pitch was used for the Arsenal vs. Manchester United match?
The match was held on a specially grown grass pitch that will be removed on Monday to make way for upcoming events at the stadium.
Stadium officials described the removal as a cost-effective measure. However, when inquired about the environmental impact, they admitted that efforts to find a new home for the pitch had thus far been unsuccessful.
