Sports Mole picks out three talking points from Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in Saturday’s pre-season friendly.
Manchester United‘s preparations for the 2024-25 campaign continued on Saturday evening, with the Red Devils suffering a 2-1 defeat to Premier League rivals Arsenal in the United States.
Rasmus Hojlund sent the Red Devils ahead in the 10th minute of the contest, but Gabriel Jesus levelled the scores in the 26th minute, with the Brazilian benefitting from the absence of VAR, as he looked offside.
Gabriel Martinelli then scored a second for Arsenal in the 81st minute, although there was a penalty shootout in the pre-season match, which Erik ten Hag‘s side won 4-3 following misses from Gunners duo Kai Havertz and Jakub Kiwior.
Here, Sports Mole picks out three Man United talking points from the friendly encounter.
Hojlund, Yoro forced off injured
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Man United need to assess the fitness of Hojlund and Leny Yoro after both players were forced off injured in the first half of the friendly on Saturday night.
Hojlund scored an excellent opener and looked extremely sharp on his first pre-season appearance, but he pulled up with an apparent hamstring problem in the 16th minute.
Yoro, meanwhile, appeared to suffer an ankle injury late in the first period, with the 18-year-old, who recently arrived from Lille, looking in discomfort as he walked around the pitch.
“Of course it is too short [to know about their injuries] and we have to wait over 24 hours, then we will hopefully know more,” Ten Hag said after the match. “We were careful especially with Leny [Yoro] as he only did 50% of the [training] sessions. He has to come up but let’s be positive and see what comes out.”
This close to the start of the season, the injury problems will be a huge concern, and a statement from Man United on the duo could potentially arrive in the coming days.
Mount impresses in the number 10 role
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Mount only managed one goal and one assist in 20 appearances for Man United last season following his arrival from Chelsea, with the Englishman suffering a number of fitness setbacks.
However, the 25-year-old has been sharp during pre-season, and he was Man United’s best performer against Arsenal, starring in the opening 45 minutes of the contest.
“You can’t judge [his first] season because he was injured. But when he is fit, he will be a very good player for us and we can use him. He’s versatile and you need that in a squad,” Ten Hag told reporters during his press conference ahead of the clash with Arsenal.
“You need certain types in the squad, like you need the leaders, you need the team players. You need individuals, multi-functional players. And yeah, definitely he is one of those players. He can play in several positions and I’m sure he will help the team.”
Mount was at his dynamic best against Arsenal, and he would be like a new signing for the 20-time English champions if he can hit the ground running at the start of 2024-25.
Amass, Collyer given notable starts by Ten Hag
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It is clear that Man United head coach Ten Hag is a huge admirer of 17-year-old left-back Harry Amass and 20-year-old defensive midfielder Toby Collyer, with the pair given starts against Arsenal.
Both played the opening 45 minutes, and the duo would have impressed their manager once again.
Amid Man United’s left-back problems, there is a strong chance that the talented Amass could receive regular exposure next term, while Collyer is emerging a serious option in the middle of the park.
If Luke Shaw is fit, Amass could start the season as the second-choice left-back, with Tyrell Malacia not close to returning from a serious knee injury.
Collyer, meanwhile, is an all-round central midfielder who has shown his class during pre-season, and the 2022 arrival from Brighton & Hove Albion could also receive plenty of action next term.
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