Manchester United’s pre-season preparations hit a snag as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in Los Angeles, with new signings Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro both sustaining injuries in the first half.
Hojlund gave United an early advantage in the 10th minute, finishing Marcus Rashford’s pass with a powerful shot through Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein’s legs. However, just five minutes later, the Danish striker was forced off with a muscle injury.
Soon after, 18-year-old defender Leny Yoro, who recently joined United from Lille for £52 million, also went down with an injury and required lengthy treatment before being substituted.
United manager Erik ten Hag expressed his concerns, stating, “We have to wait 24 hours and then we will hopefully know more. We were very careful, especially with Leny. It is disappointing he had to come off, but let’s be positive and see what comes out.”
Gabriel Jesus equalized for Arsenal in the 25th minute with a close-range finish, a goal that Ten Hag believed should have been disallowed for offside. Gabriel Martinelli secured the win for Arsenal by cutting inside United’s 17-year-old full-back James Scanlon to score the decisive goal.
Despite the defeat, United triumphed in a pre-arranged penalty shootout, winning 4-3, with Jadon Sancho scoring the decisive spot-kick.
In addition to the injuries, United were without Victor Lindelof due to a minor injury, leading 20-year-old Rhys Bennett to partner Harry Maguire in defense. Amid these challenges, midfielder Mason Mount’s performance was a positive takeaway, showing promise and threat throughout the match.
For Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli stood out, with manager Mikel Arteta praising their sharpness and mentality. “Gabriel looks really sharp. He has changed a lot of things over the summer. You can see it in his eyes. There’s some spark there. Now he has a point to prove and that is good,” Arteta commented.
The game was played on a grass pitch grown specifically for the match, which will be removed to prepare the stadium for other events.
The injuries to Hojlund and Yoro are a significant concern for Ten Hag, especially with the Premier League season set to begin in less than three weeks. Further assessments will determine the extent of their injuries, highlighting the physical demands and risks associated with pre-season preparations.
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