Man Utd 2-0 Arsenal: Pictures & talking points from pre-season friendly
- Strikes from Fernandes and Sancho earned Man Utd a victory
- Summer signings Rice and Mount both in action
- Red Devils also won a penalty shootout
Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal met in New Jersey as goals from Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho earned the Red Devils a 2-0 victory.
Portugal international Fernandes, recently appointed permanent skipper at Old Trafford, opened the scoring with a low shot Aaron Ramsdale couldn't keep out. A fine run and finish from Sancho in the 37th minute saw United ease to victory before also winning a penalty shootout at full-time.
Fabio Vieira's miss allowed Christian Eriksen to convert United's fifth successful spot-kick after previous efforts from Casemiro, Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof and Marcus Rashford.
Antony scuffed a clear opening wide early on while Gabriel Martinelli forced veteran Tom Heaton into a smart double save.
The second half lost the zip and vigour from earlier in the contest, though not its physicality as challenges came flying in, but the Gunners started the period brightly as Eddie Nketiah dragged wide from Odegaard's free kick.
Summer signings Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Mason Mount all appeared in the fixture, while recently axed United captain Harry Maguire featured as a second half substitute. United goalkeeper Andre Onana - freshly signed from Inter - was in attendance at the MetLife Stadium but didn't play, having only joined the rest of the squad on Friday.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta later admitted "I don't like the feeling that I have right now" and that "we all hate to lose" after his side's defeat.
United manager Erik ten Hag - so engrossed in the action he had to be pulled from an altercation with the fourth official by captain Fernandes - was happy with his side's performance, stating "we played a good game".
Physical game boils over
There were a number of physical battles during United's win over Arsenal, with defender Lisandro Martinez chopping down Bukayo Saka in rugged fashion. The Argentine World Cup winner squared up with Martin Odegaard to spice up an already tempestuous fixture.
Mount, William Saliba and Luke Shaw all got involved after the meaty challenge which almost took out Martinez's teammate Kobbie Mainoo.
Mikel Arteta wasn't pleased with the physicality on show from United, saying: "They are here to compete and to win, as we are, and that's the job of the referee to stop it."
Mount takes on Rice
The products of two of the summer's biggest transfer sagas were on display as old Chelsea youngsters Mount and Rice squared off.
There were limited contributions from both with Rice a little off the pace in the midfield battle, but Mount had a shot blocked by Saliba after a flowing United move.
Mount came off at half time while Rice lasted an hour.
Amad Diallo suffers injury
United winger Amad Diallo appeared to have suffered an injury during the game and was later spotted leaving the stadium on crutches. It is a huge blow for the impressive Ivorian looking to stake his claim for a place followng last season's loan at Sunderland in the Championship.
Man Utd 2-0 Arsenal pre-season lineups
Arsenal XI: Aaron Ramsdale; Jurrien Timber (Ben White 58), William Saliba (Jorginho 72), Gabriel Magalhaes, Takehiro Tomiyasu (Kieran Tierney 46); Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice (Thomas Partey 58), Kai Havertz (Fabio Vieira 72); Bukayo Saka (Leandro Trossard 72), Eddie Nketiah (Emile Smith Rowe 72), Gabriel Martinelli (Gabriel Jesus 58).
Subs not used: Runar Alex Runarsson, Jakub Kiwior, Rob Holding, Folarin Balogun, Marquinhos, Karl Hein, Auston Trusty, Amario Cozier-Duberry.
Manchester United XI: Tom Heaton; Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Diogo Dalot 46), Raphael Varane (Victor Lindelof 46), Lisandro Martinez (Harry Maguire 46), Luke Shaw (Brandon Williams 46); Kobbie Mainoo (Casemiro 46), Mason Mount (Christian Eriksen 46); Antony (Amad Diallo 46, Facundo Pellistri 59), Bruno Fernandes (Scott McTominay 46) Alejandro Garnacho (Marcus Rashford 46); Jadon Sancho (Omari Forson 46).
Subs not used: Nathan Bishop, Radek Vitek, Alvaro Fernandez, Daniel Gore, Hannibal Mejbri, Donny van de Beek.
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