MANCHESTER UNITED 2 – ARSENAL 0 Manchester United vs. Arsenal
The Reds' 2-0 victory over fellow Premier League contenders Arsenal on Saturday in New Jersey gave Manchester United's preseason preparations a boost.
A record-breaking 82,262 people showed up to the game, which was an association football match in the state, and saw United put in their best preseason performance to yet.
Jadon Sancho's towering shot made it 2-0 only seven minutes after Bruno Fernandes, who was chosen club captain on Thursday, scored on his first appearance of the 2023–24 campaign.
At halftime, manager Erik ten Hag substituted all ten outfield players, but his reenergized squad played brilliantly in the second half to record its third straight clean sheet. Prior to future matches against Wrexham, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund in the United States, United will now travel to San Diego.
Arsenal vs. Manchester United highlights
RIP-ROARING REDS, FIRST HALF
No matter how good we've been playing, Erik ten Hag always demands that his United squad move it up a notch, and the manager would undoubtedly acknowledge that the first 45 minutes against the Gunners were a level above what we've seen in the previous two preseason games.
At the MetLife Stadium, both teams got off to a frenzied start, maybe buoyed by the large crowd or the thought of a juicy matchup against a legitimate Premier League foe. Only minutes into the game, Antony scuffed wide at the conclusion of our first significant foray forward before Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli forced Tom Heaton into two close-range saves when a goal appeared more likely.
However, once the early tempo of the game had somewhat settled—possibly as a result of the 29 degree heat in East Rutherford—United quickly took control of the situation. As our control of the game grew, Kobbie Mainoo once more shone in the center of midfield. It was the youngster who made the initial pass that set up Fernandes's opening strike, which came just before the half-hour mark.
The Portuguese midfielder took Mainoo's pass from inside the right position, about 20 yards away, and sent a low, left-footed effort through Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale's reach. It was two after six minutes. Sancho, who was born in Croydon, made no mistakes with a roaring strike that soared high into Ramsdale's net after Arsenal center-back Gabriel slipped up and let Sancho racing on to a loose ball behind the Londoners' back line. As the half came to a conclusion, United had complete control of the ball across the entire field, and Antony came dangerously close to adding a third with a classic curling shot from the right side of the Arsenal box.
A PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE in the second half
Only Tom Heaton remained in United's drastically altered second-half lineup, which may have given Arsenal some inspiration to reenter the contest. However, despite Victor Lindelof's numerous tackles and interceptions, who stood out for United's new-look back four, the Gunners were unable to cause any serious concern.
After Odegaard's deftly executed free kick, Nketiah should have scored, but Kai Havertz calmly headed over from inside the penalty area. The early forced substitute for Amad, who departed the field at around hour owing to what appeared to be a blow to his left ankle, was United's only real source of distress.
Shortly after, Marcus Rashford missed a chance to make contact with a Diogo Dalot pass across an open Arsenal goal, but the hometown hero would have undoubtedly been called for offside had he made solid contact. After finding some room down the right in the final seconds, Pellistri then blasted over.
However, United held on comfortably, banking yet another encouraging 90 minutes to build on as the crucial Premier League season gets underway. However, the fun in New Jersey didn't finish there because both managers had pre-agreed on a post-game penalty shootout. The players would experience taking penalties in front of a huge audience, which would be a more difficult challenge than repeatedly taking them on the practice field.
Casemiro, Dalot, Lindelof, Rashford, and Eriksen all scored goals that were perfect, and United won 5-3. Fabio Vieira's missed shot was the difference-maker for Arsenal.
WHAT COMES UP?
Prior to another sold-out game against AFC Wrexham on Tuesday, July 25, United travels to San Diego on Sunday, July 23. The Snapdragon Cup match between a young Reds XI and the Welsh club will commence off at 03:30 BST on Wednesday, July 26 for viewers in the United Kingdom.
A more experienced team is anticipated to play Real Madrid in Houston the following day, and on Sunday, July 30, we will play Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas to complete the USA portion of our preseason tour.
LINE-UPS:
Ramsdale; Timber (White 58), Saliba (Jorginho 72), Gabriel, Tomiyasu (Tierney 46); Odegaard, Rice (Partey 58), Havertz (Vieira 72); Saka (Trossard 72), Nketiah (Smith-Rowe 72), Martinelli (Jesus 58); and Saka (Trossard, Rice, Havertz, and Jesus).
No substitutions: Those involved include Runarsson, Kiwior, Holding, Balogun, Marquinhos, Hein, Trusty, and Cozier-Duberry.
United: Heaton; Wan-Bissaka (Dalot HT), Varane (Lindelof HT), Martinez (Maguire HT), Shaw (Williams HT); Mainoo (Casemiro HT), Mount (Eriksen HT); Antony (Amad HT, Pellistri 59), Fernandes (McTominay HT) Garnacho (Rashford HT); Sancho (Forson HT).
No substitutions:Gore, Hannibal, Gore, Bishop, Vitek, and Van de Beek.
scored.Sancho 37, Fernandes 30. scored.
Participation: 82,262
Arsenal, Manchester United,
