Manchester United faced their second pre-season defeat on Saturday night, falling 2-1 to Arsenal in Los Angeles.
The evening began positively for Erik ten Hag as Rasmus Hojlund capitalized on defensive errors to put United ahead at SoFi Stadium.
However, United’s defensive vulnerabilities were soon highlighted by the Gunners. Gabriel Jesus equalized just before half-time, and Gabriel Martinelli netted the winner later in the match.
Here, Mail Sport outlines five key takeaways…
Gabriel Martinelli scored the winner as Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-1 in Los Angeles
Recurring Injury Woes for United
If Manchester United hoped to leave last season’s injury issues behind, they took a disappointing step backward with a 2-1 loss to Arsenal at SoFi Stadium.
Both Rasmus Hojlund and new £59million signing Leny Yoro were forced off before the half-time interval, delivering a painful blow to manager Erik ten Hag.
Hojlund sustained an apparent hamstring injury just five minutes after scoring, gingerly making his way off the pitch toward the dressing room after receiving treatment.
Yoro seemed to recognize immediately that something was amiss when he collapsed to the ground just after the half-hour mark. The young Frenchman, who recently moved from Lille, chose not to risk further injury and left the field.
In the pre-match press conference, Ten Hag referenced last season’s injury challenges and expressed optimism following the appointments of club doctor Gary O’Driscoll and head physio Jordan Reece, both previously with Arsenal. He stated, ‘Now he can start fresh and be in the lead. We also changed strategies in medical and performance to improve.’ Yet, only 24 hours later, familiar troubles resurfaced.
Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro both came off injured during the first half at SoFi Stadium
Hojlund Makes an Impact
Hojlund might have only played a quarter of an hour in United’s first tour match, but he made a significant impact by scoring their opener.
In the 10th minute, he displayed impressive strength, pushing past Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven before neatly placing his shot past goalkeeper Karl Hein.
Hojlund’s performance this season is crucial for United, especially after his successful start following a £73m transfer from Atalanta last summer, although his form faded towards the end of the season when Ten Hag opted for Bruno Fernandes as a false nine during crucial matches.
Support from new £36.5m striker Joshua Zirkzee will be essential, alongside young Ethan Wheatley, who is also emerging as a promising option. Ten Hag emphasized the need for depth during Friday’s discussions, and it was notable that midfielder Hannibal Mejbri took Hojlund’s place in the first half.
Although United had Wheatley, Jadon Sancho, and Antony available on the bench, Ten Hag intended to utilize them in the second half to avoid overloading them with an extended playtime.
Hojlund only lasted a quarter of an hour but the Dane made a big impression by scoring first
Yoro Needs Time to Adapt
Though Leny Yoro possesses a stellar reputation across Europe, he will require time to adjust to English football.
The young Frenchman joined United from Lille this summer as one of the top defensive prospects in the continent, showcasing his talent during his debut against Rangers last weekend. However, he also made some fundamental errors that reflect his ongoing learning process before leaving the game due to injury in the 33rd minute.
Seconds into the match, a mistake allowed Gabriel Jesus to advance, but Yoro’s speed and agility helped him recover, similar to his performance against Rangers. Shortly before his departure, he found himself in a tight situation near the halfway line, becoming overly intricate and nearly losing possession to Jesus.
While he is poised to be a significant asset for United in the future, supporters may need to exercise patience while he acclimates to a new country and league.
United fans may have to be a little patient while Yoro adapts to a new country and league
Onana Shines for United
Andre Onana struggled initially in his United career, notably being lobbed from midfield by Florian Sotocas in his Old Trafford debut last August.
This incident impacted the Cameroonian’s confidence for a period before he regained form as a key player under Erik ten Hag after a £47.3m transfer from Inter Milan.
Now, a year later, Onana appears more confident as United’s No. 1, delivering a solid performance at SoFi Stadium. His standout moment was a spectacular reflex save against Leandro Trossard in the second half, complemented by another excellent stop from Ethan Nwaneri earlier, despite the offside.
He had little chance with the equalizer as Jesus scored at the back post, or as Martinelli took advantage of defensive lapses to score the winner.
However, he redeemed himself in a prearranged penalty shootout, saving attempts from Kai Havertz and Jakub Kiwior, providing United with some consolation in this all-English clash.
Onana is now comfortable as United’s No. 1 and produced an assured performance in LA
Antony and Sancho Fail to Impress
Demonstrating their current standing, both Antony and Jadon Sancho began the match on the bench while Amad Diallo, United’s standout performer against Rangers, took up position on the right flank.
Having a combined transfer cost of £159m, neither player has managed to meet expectations at United and both could be offloaded this summer if suitable offers arise.
Both Antony and Jadon Sancho (pictured) struggled to have any influence on the game
The pair struggled to make an impact in Los Angeles, with Antony making his pre-season debut on the right wing and Sancho playing his second match on the left during the second half.
They had a chance to assert themselves ahead of the upcoming match against Liverpool in Columbia, South Carolina, especially if Ten Hag opts for a younger lineup against Real Betis in San Diego. At least Sancho netted a decisive penalty in the shootout.
Nonetheless, this was yet another missed opportunity, and at this pace, it seems unlikely either will feature in the Community Shield against Manchester City on August 10, especially considering Alejandro Garnacho’s late return to training following the Copa America.
