Man united’s first world-class goal against man united in the friendly assisted by Rashford.

Man United lost 2-1 to Arsenal in their first pre-season tour game and here are how the players rated at the SoFi Stadium

In an engaging pre-season friendly at California’s SoFi Stadium, Manchester United faced a 2-1 defeat against Arsenal and encountered some worrying injury setbacks. The match saw United taking an early lead, only to be overturned by a resilient Arsenal side.

Manchester United started the game brightly, with Rasmus Hojlund opening the scoring in the 10th minute. The young Danish forward showcased his strength and determination by outmuscling Arsenal’s 17-year-old defender Ayden Heaven to find the back of the net. However, Hojlund’s joy was short-lived, as he had to leave the field due to an injury just three minutes after scoring. His departure, marked by a downcast expression, was the first of United’s injury woes for the night.

The situation worsened for United on the half-hour mark when their new £59 million signing, Leny Yoro, also went down injured and was unable to continue. These injuries echo the troubles United faced last season, where a string of fitness issues derailed their campaign, and similar concerns seem to be emerging for Erik ten Hag once again.

Arsenal equalized in the 26th minute through Gabriel Jesus, who was left out of Brazil’s squad for the recent Copa America but proved his worth to the Gunners. Jesus timed his run perfectly to get behind United’s left-back Harry Amass, steering the ball past Andre Onana with precision. Earlier, Jesus had displayed his skill by turning sharply to leave Harry Maguire behind, though his cross didn’t meet the mark.

The Brazilian forward was a constant threat, using his agility and sharp movements to keep United’s defense on edge. His lively performance and ability to find dangerous positions suggest that he is ready to make a significant impact for Arsenal in the upcoming season.

Second Half and Late Drama

At halftime, Erik ten Hag made significant changes, substituting ten players to give the squad more rotation. Despite these changes, it was Arsenal who found the decisive goal. Gabriel Martinelli scored the winner late in the game, ensuring the Gunners left the stadium with a victory.

Following the match, both teams participated in a penalty shootout, which was largely ceremonial and held no bearing on the final result.

Andre Onana:Made a good stop from an offside position and was proactive outside the area. He was the only starter to play more than a half and impressively denied Leandro Trossard.

Manchester United’s pre-season has now been marred by significant injury concerns. Rasmus Hojlund’s and Leny Yoro’s early exits from the game will be a point of worry for Ten Hag as he prepares for the new season. The team will need to address these fitness issues promptly to avoid a repeat of last season’s injury-plagued campaign.

Arsenal, on the other hand, will be buoyed by Gabriel Jesus’ performance, with the forward showing he is ready to lead the line effectively. His sharpness and goal-scoring ability could be crucial for the Gunners as they aim for a strong start to the season.

As both teams continue their preparations, the focus will be on ensuring players’ fitness and integrating new signings into their respective squads. For Manchester United, avoiding further injuries will be key to mounting a serious challenge in the upcoming Premier League season.