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Red Future: Man Utd Stars Show Promise with Impressive Attack Despite Friendly Defeat to Arsenal.TĐ
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.
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.
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.
Both teams battled it out for supremacy in the midfield early in the half, with neither team obtaining the upper hand. Despite all of their changes, United put up a good fight against an Arsenal lineup that was largely unchanged.
After receiving a through pass, Trossard struck a strong close-range shot at the near post in the 57th minute, forcing Onana to make an outstanding save. Evans headed the ball clear of danger after handling the ensuing cross with skill.
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.
