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Manchester United lost 2-1 to Arsenal in what was an enthralling first match of their pre-season tour of the US.
United were looking to get their US tour off to a strong start, especially after their convincing 2-0 win over Rangers with Leny Yoro making an impactful debut.
90 seconds in, an incoming cross from the Arsenal attack made its way to Yoro, who missed his clearance, allowing Gabriel Jesus to collect the loose ball. Fortunately, Andre Onana was quick to collect the ball and quash the danger.
Six minutes in, Mason Mount launched a counter-attack from halfway, threading the ball to Amad in the centre whose powerful shot was parried by the keeper. It was a positive start to the match for United.
A few minutes later, it was Arsenal on the attack, putting the pressure on United in the final third. Harry Maguire got a clean header to clear a cross, while Onana made an impressive save to deny Nwaneri from close range.
Not a minute later, United grabbed the lead when Marcus Rashford picked out Rasmus Hojlund with a cross from distance. Hojlund sprinted up the field, dribbling Heaven and comfortably slotting the ball past Hein.
Two minutes later, United looked to double their lead when Wan-Bissaka hammered a cross into the box, however this time, Hojlund fired over the top.
Unfortunately, the Danish striker went down awkwardly following the shot, expressing discomfort. Unwilling to risk his star striker, Erik ten Hag replaced him with Hannibal Mejbri.
Despite the early setback, United remained laser-focused, with Hannibal seamlessly integrating into the team’s slick passing game. The team came close to scoring again when Amad took an opportune shot from the edge of the box that was blocked by the Arsenal defence.
Arsenal came close to scoring when Jesus tried to play a through ball to Trossard, however, Wan-Bissaka was quick enough to block his pass.
Moments later, United weren’t so fortunate. Jesus ran into the box to get on the end of a pass from Jorginho, outpacing Amass to slot the ball into the back of the net. A few minutes later, Jesus looked to be offside, however, the referee bizarrely allowed the goal to stand.
In the 30th minute, the match was paused for a drinks break. It was then that new signing Yoro began complaining of discomfort. In yet another safety measure, Yoro was replaced by academy graduate Rhys Bennett. United will be hoping that Yoro’s injury is nothing serious.
The impact of United’s injuries was almost immediately evident. While Mount played an opportune through ball into the box, Hannibal was unable to arrive in time, lacking the foresight that natural strikers such as Hojlund would typically possess.
On the stroke of half-time, Collyer made an impressive run into the box, weaving through the Arsenal defence only for his shot to be blocked. The youngster has been impressive throughout the first half.
As the referee blew the half-time whistle, United would be fairly satisfied with their performance thus far. While surely disappointed after losing their lead, United coped well considering their two injury setbacks. Ten Hag will be hoping that his team can carry their momentum into the second half.
Except for Onana, United returned to the field with an entirely fresh lineup.
Early in the half, it was struggle for midfield dominance between the two sides, with neither team gaining an upper hand. Still, it was an impressive fight from United given their many changes against a relatively unchanged Arsenal lineup.
In the 57th minute, Trossard got on the end of a through ball and took a hard shot from close range at the near post, forcing an impressive save from Onana. Evans dealt well with the subsequent cross, heading the ball out of danger.
65 minutes in, United made their first threatening attack of the second half when McTominay launched a counter-attack. He laid off the ball to Antony on the edge of the box, who passed back to McTominay. Unfortunately, McTominay’s final ball into the centre couldn’t find a teammate.
United continued applying pressure, with Eriksen taking a long-range shot that was deflected out for a corner.
Eriksen took a threatening corner, with the ball whizzing past the face of the goal begging for a tap-in. Unfortunately, none of his United teammates were within reach.
15 minutes from time, Eriksen turned defence into attack. He booted the ball up to Sancho, who almost managed to break through the Arsenal defence only for the final man, Heaven, to dispossess him.
Just as United appeared to get the break on again, Thomas Partey came crashing into Jonny Evans. The United defender remained on the ground for a few seconds, displaying visible signs of pain before rising to his feet. It was yet another momentum of anxiety for United given the two injuries experienced earlier in the match.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Gabriel Martinelli put Arsenal in the lead. It was poor marking from Scanlon, who allowed Martinelli took much space to maneuver as he dribbled into the box and scored from the near post.
Five minutes from time, Eriksen whipped in a threatening corner, forcing the keeper to punch the ball off the goal line. It was almost a goal by the Dane directly from the corner.
Two minutes into added time, Evans headed the ball into the back of the net from a corner. Unfortunately, the goal was disallowed due to Wheatley fouling the keeper.
Seconds later, the full-time whistle blew, bringing the end to an eventful encounter between United and Arsenal. Despite coming off second best, United showed numerous signs of promise, with several first-team stars producing energetic performances on the day. Had United’s stronger lineup from the first half remained intact, there’s no telling how much they could have affected the final score.
Starting XI: Onana, Maguire, Mount, Hojlund, Rashford, Yoro, Amad, Casemiro, Wan-Bissaka, Amass, Collyer
Subs: Hannibal, Bennett, Antony, Eriksen, Evans, McTominay, Oyedele, Sancho, Scanlon, Wheatley, Murray
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