Manchester United Suffers Double Injury Blow in US Tour Defeat to Arsenal.
Manchester United faced a challenging start to their US tour as they lost their opening game against Premier League rivals Arsenal in Los Angeles, compounded by first-half injuries to striker Rasmus Hojlund and new signing Leny Yoro.
Hojlund, who had given United a 10th-minute lead by outmuscling defender Ayden Heaven and scoring through Karl Hein’s legs, suffered a muscle injury after 15 minutes and could not continue. The Danish striker had earlier missed a chance from a low Aaron Wan-Bissaka cross.
Leny Yoro, the £52m acquisition from Lille, also exited the game prematurely. The 18-year-old required lengthy treatment on the pitch before being substituted, having joined United only 10 days prior.
These injuries are a concern for manager Erik ten Hag, whose team was plagued by injuries last season. With less than three weeks until United’s Premier League opener against Fulham at Old Trafford on 16 August, the loss of two key players is far from ideal.
Despite a promising start, the match result did not favour Ten Hag’s side. Gabriel Jesus equalised for Arsenal with a close-range finish in the 25th minute, and substitute Gabriel Martinelli secured the win by cutting inside 17-year-old James Scanlon and scoring.
Although United won the subsequent penalty shoot-out 4-3, with Jadon Sancho scoring the decisive spot-kick, the overall outcome and the injuries overshadowed the game.
