Manchester United kick-starts 2024’s tour of the USA by facing Arsenal, here’s all the latest build-up, scores and team news for the game.
This is the second summer in a row that Manchester United are heading stateside for pre-season, and also a second consecutive summer facing Arsenal, but this time it ended in defeat.
Despite a positive start with Rasmus Hojlund scoring, injuries have dominated the feelings around the game and Arsenal eventually came back to win.
United did win the confusing penalty shootout post-game, but it’ll be the first-half performance which will have pleased Erik ten Hag.
We will be providing all the coverage right here throughout the night and early Sunday morning.
SCORELINE: (Hojlund) Manchester United 1-2 Arsenal (Jesus, Martinelli)
That’s all folks! United look ahead to San Diego…
That concludes United in Focus’ coverage of Manchester United vs Arsenal in the pre-season tour of the US 2024.
Although it wasn’t the result Ten Hag and co would have wanted, there were certainly positives to take from the defeat to the Gunners.
Now, San Diego beckons – where United will look to get back to winning ways against Real Betis.
We, as always, will be providing extensive match coverage and reaction, so until then – have a lovely week reds!
[Link]Let’s talk about Harry Amass…
There were many good performances from United players, but one youth player who looked particularly impressive was Harry Amass.
The left-back looked more than competent against tough opposition. Could he be the solution to Ten Hag’s left-back issue this season?
[Link]
What’s up next for Manchester United in pre-season?
Manchester United now face a trip to San Diego, where they’ll take on Real Betis at the Snapdragon Stadium on the 31st of July 2024.
Erik ten Hag will be hoping for a more successful result against Spanish opposition – and hopefully, treat American reds to a fine display in ‘America’s Finest City’.
[Link]Rasmus Hojlund speaks out after injury
After a quite sensational goal, things ended bitterly for Manchester United’s new number nine against Arsenal – forced off with an injury. He speaks out for the first time after this.
[Link]
Hojlund spotted at full-time
Despite injury concerns, Rasmus Hojlund was spotted at full-time applauding the supporting fans, this could be a positive sign but we will need to wait and see.
Overall Erik ten Hag can be pleased
It was a weird night, with some highs but plenty of lows. The injuries are obviously what will steal the headlines, but the Red Devils were playing some great stuff before Hojlund’s exit.
Mount and Collyer were excellent and Amass fitted in well on his full debut.
The second half was also a low, with little for United to get excited by in an attacking sense, but this proves that work must still be done in the transfer window.
[Link]Full-time Manchester United 1-2 Arsenal
All over at SoFi Stadium, with plenty to unpack but first, we have a penalty shootout.
[Link]Manchester United have equaliser denied
The ball is in the net with Evans scoring, but Wheatley is penalised for fouling the goalkeeper so it doesn’t count.
[Link]Jonny Evans with an excellent tackle
The class of Evans is seemingly endless as he pulls out a top tackle to prevent Arsenal a clear chance.
[Link]Onana denies Trossard
Onana makes a strong save to keep the scores level after a Trossard shot came at him from point-blank range.
[Link]James Scanlon is worth keeping a close eye on
As he enters the pitch for the second half, it’s worth mentioning that we’ve tipped Scanlon as a potential wildcard for Ten Hag this summer.
Read why below;
[Link]
Second-half XI
Onana; Scanlon, Fish, Evans, Murray; Eriksen, McTominay, Oyedele; Antony, Sancho, Wheatley.
Concerning clip of Yoro limping off
There is no word about what the issue with Yoro is, but it doesn’t look good.
Three players shine in first half for United
Aside from the injuries, there were some real positives to take from the 45 minutes, with Mount, Collyer and Amass all shining thus far.
[Link]Halftime – Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal
It’s half-time in LA, with very little to report on from when Yoro went off until half-time. The half went from a dream to a nightmare for Ten Hag, and his main concern will now be on seeing the status of his two injured players.
There were several quality displays and United are unlucky not to be leading as with the equaliser looking offside. All to play for in the second half, let’s just hope for no more injuries.
[Link]More bad news for United
Leny Yoro has departed the field through injury. The defender was limping off while shaking his head which is an extremely worrying sign for United.
[Link]How Hojlund opened the scoring
Here’s how Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring prior to his exit.
Mason Mount has shot saved
Looking to immediately strike back, Mason Mount sees his effort denied by Hein. Mount has started really well here and looks sharper than he did at any point last season.
[Link]1-1 Arsenal equalise
Gabriel Jesus scores after he managed to escape Harry Amass at the back post. There is a question of an offside with replays showing it probably should have been ruled out, but without VAR the goal stands.
[Link]Wonderful football from United
United look incredibly sharp and in tune with each other on the pitch. Harry Amass is an early standout as he looks more like he’s making his 100th start, rather than his 1st.
Very encouraging start for the Red Devils.
[Link]Hojlund injury concern
After missing a chance to make it 2-0, Hojlund pulled up with a knock and has asked to be replaced. It seems precautionary, but better safe than sorry. A nightmare return for Hojlund who will have felt euphoric just moments ago after his goal.
[Link]1-0 Manchester United
Rasmus Hojlund opens the scoring for United with an excellent goal! Assist from Marcus Rashford was brilliant too, the dream start in his first game as United’s number nine.
[Link]Chance for United
The first chance of the game and it’s fallen United’s way. Mason Mount dribbled excellently down the left wing before cutting a ball back to Amad Diallo but the Arsenal keeper made the save.
[Link]Here come the teams
In what seems to be a delayed start, the two teams are now making their way out onto the pitch.
[Link]Huge opportunity for these two…
As both Collyer and Amass both start, it’s a massive opportunity for them to establish themselves and become this summer’s Kobbie Mainoo.
Arsenal’s XI to face United
And in the red corner…
Hein; White, Timber, Heaven, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Nwaneri, Odegaard; Nelson, Trossard, Jesus.
Lindelof speculation over
As we pondered Lindelof’s exclusion, now Simon Stone has put any questions to rest confirming it is a fitness issue keeping the Swedish defender out.
Erik ten Hag names a strong Manchester United XI
Erik ten Hag has shown his intent with this starting XI, he wants to beat Arsenal and send a message to the Premier League. Rasmus Hojlund is a notable inclusion, while 17-year-old Harry Amass starts his first-ever game for the senior United team.
Casemiro will wear the captain’s armband alongside Toby Collyer too. Meanwhile, as we mentioned earlier Victor Lindelof hasn’t made the bench, with the reason currently unknown.
[Link]Manchester United XI announced
Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Yoro, Maguire, Amass, Casemiro, Collyer; Amad, Mount, Rashford; Hojlund
Venue number one in the US is set
25 minutes to line-ups being announced and the stage is set at the SoFi Stadium.
12 Manchester United youngsters could feature vs Arsenal
While there is a strong senior contingent with the squad in LA, United’s Euro 2024 and Copa America finalists and semi-finalists remain out, which has opened the door for the inclusion of 12 youngsters in Erik ten Hag’s squad.
We imagine we’ll get to see at least two from the start in just over two hours.
[Link]
Manchester United will be wearing the new away kit for the first time
Against Arsenal in LA, United will don the new blue away shirt for the first time since its release. It could also be the first time we see Rasmus Hojlund donning his new number nine shirt.
One man is a doubt to face Arsenal
While Erik ten Hag has 29 players to choose from, Victor Lindelof is a doubt. The Swedish defender missed training on Friday with no reason given.
This could be an injury but it’s not been confirmed, rather it’s just stated that he sat out the session. The other possible reason is that he could be heading for a possible summer exit.
Either way, it looks unlikely he’ll be involved against Arsenal.
[Link]
United’s 29-man squad for Erik ten Hag to select from
GOALKEEPERS
Tom Heaton
Demot Mee
Andre Onana
Radek Vitek
DEFENDERS
Harry Amass
Rhys Bennett
Jonny Evans
Will Fish
Victor Lindelof
Harry Maguire
Sam Murray
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Leny Yoro
MIDFIELDERS
Casemiro
Toby Collyer
Christian Eriksen
Hannibal
Jack Fletcher
Sam Mather
Scott McTominay
Mason Mount
Maxi Oyedele
James Scanlon
FORWARDS
Antony
Amad
Rasmus Hojlund
Marcus Rashford
Jadon Sancho
Ethan Wheatley
How to watch Manchester United vs Arsenal
Find out everything you need to know about how to watch Manchester United vs Arsenal below;
[Link]
Here’s how we’ve predicted United to lineup
Ahead of the kickoff in LA, we’ve predicted how Erik ten Hag could line up his United side.
Andre Onana; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Leny Yoro, Jonny Evans, Sam Murray; Casemiro, Toby Collyer; Amad Diallo, Mason Mount, Marcus Rashford; Rasmus Hojlund.
[Link]
Welcome to United in Focus’ live coverage of Manchester United vs Arsenal
Manchester United begin the US leg of this summer’s pre-season against Arsenal in Los Angeles. We’ll be providing all the latest build-up and coverage, along with the game which kicks off in just under five hours at 1 am GMT or 4 pm in Los Angeles.
Stay tuned.
[Link]Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
