Rasmus Hojlund and Lenny Yoro fall to injury while Gabriel Jesus excels: Winners and Losers from Arsenal’s preseason victory over Manchester United in the USA
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Jacob Schneider
28 Jul 2024 03:24+01:00
Rasmus Hojlund and Lenny Yoro fall to injury while Gabriel Jesus excels: Winners and Losers from Arsenal’s preseason victory over Manchester United in the USA
Winners & Losers
Manchester United
Arsenal
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Arsenal vs Manchester United
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Rasmus Hoejlund
Gabriel Jesus
Arsenal looked composed in the final-third, but the storyline will be Man Utd’s continued injury woes
Hollywood celebrities came out to catch their English clubs in action Saturday evening, with popstar Justin Bieber, Denver Nuggets point guard Russell Westbrook and A-list actor Will Poulter spotted amongst the crowd for Man Utd’s preseason match vs Arsenal in Los Angeles, California.
The Red Devils fell to the Gunners 2-1, with goals from Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli leading Arsenal to victory. The lone effort for United came off the boot of Rasmus Hojlund, who was brilliant to start the match until his removal in the 16th minute.
United earned their lead 10 minutes into the match, but Jesus leveled things just 16 minutes after. The winner came late, with Martinelli bagging a lovely solo goal in the 81st minute to secure the victory.
The loss won’t be much of a worry for Man Utd boss Erik Ten Hag, rather, he’ll be more worried about his star forward and new signing, Lenny Yoro, who were both removed from action in the first half due to injury.
With the Community Shield exactly two weeks away, and just two more preseason matches on the cards, Ten Hag will have a lot on his mind following their loss to Arteta and co.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from SoFi Stadium…
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Gabriel Jesus Arsenal 2024Getty Images
WINNER: Gabriel Jesus
The Arsenal striker had a strugglesome 2023/24 campaign, succumbing to injury, poor form and a fall down the pecking order throguhout the season. Against the Red Devils, though, he showed exactly what he can do in Mikel Arteta’s system.
A perfect poachers finish in the first half, he snuck behind the final defender, fired home and shushed the crowd with a cheeky celebration. It was a clinical effort and a top run.
An ideal start for the Brazilian this summer after missing out on Copa America, too.
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Leandro Trossard Arsenal 2024Getty Images
LOSER: Leandro Trossard
The Belgian’s woes from EURO 2024 continued Saturday, with a rather poor showing for the Gunners. The 29-year-old logged 63 minutes on the night, but was unnoticeable for about 62 of them. He completed just one of five attempted dribbles, struggling to make any sort of impact on the wing.
After a poor showing with Belgium during the marquee summer competition, he needs to show Mikel Arteta he can still trust him on the left side of the pitch. Saturday evening will give the Spaniard little to no confidence in him of achieving that, though.
Mason Mount Man Utd 2024-25Getty Images
WINNER: Mason Mount
The ex-Chelsea man logged just 45 minutes, but a planned substitution saw him exit the match at halftime. Despite that, he was the Red Devils’ best attacker during the first portion of the match. He played a beautiful assist to Hojlund on their opening goal, and put on a clinic in the middle of the pitch.
He completed 100% of his passes, created two chances, registered one shot on target and won 50% of his ground duels.
After an injury-plagued debut season in Manchester, he looks sharp ahead of a potential breakout 2024/25 campaign.
Rasmus Hojlund Man Utd 2024Getty Images
LOSER: Rasmus Hojlund
It’s rare that anybody who scores a goal finds themselves on the losing side of things, but Hojlund’s first half injury could be a costly one for the Red Devils.
He finished his effort well, beating Arsenal’s Ayden Heaven 1v1 before slotting home 10 minutes into the match.
He departed just six minutes later, though, heading straight down the tunnel in discomfort. He walked off under his own power, but if it turns out to be anything serious, it could be a big blow for United prior to the start of the Premier League season.
Gabriel Martinelli Arsenal 2023-24Getty
WINNER: Gabriel Martinelli
He finished his effort brilliantly late in the second half, securing the victory for the Gunners. He sent Jonny Evans all the way back to Northern Ireland after dribbling past him before firing home past Andre Onana.
The Brazilian didn’t have a great 2023/24 campaign, and found himself on the outskirts of the Selecao XI during Copa America. However, this was a brilliant start to kick-starting some momentum for the upcoming Premier League campaign.
Leny Yoro Manchester United 2024-25Getty
LOSER: Lenny Yoro
Securing a massive summer transfer to the Red Devils earlier this July, 18-year-old Lenny Yoro logged his second-straight start for the Red devils this preseason.
He played 45 minutes in a planned subsitutuion against Rangers last week, but his cameo against the Gunners on Saturday saw him exit the match unexpectedly in the first half. Just 35 minutes into the contest, the french defender was removed after picking up an injury.
He walked off under his own power, but there was a noticeable hobble in his leg as he exited the match. One of United’s most high-profile signings this window, if they were to lose him for a period of time, it would be a massive blow just over two weeks out from the start of the Premier League season.
