Manchester United’s US preseason game against Premier League rivals Arsenal ended in a 2-1 loss in Los Angeles, with striker Rasmus Hojlund and £52 million new signing Leny Yoro both injured in the first half.
Hojlund gave his team the lead in the 10th minute when he rushed onto Marcus Rashford’s first-time pass, outmuscled teenage defender Ayden Heaven, and beat keeper Karl Hein with a shot through the legs.
The Dane then turned a low Aaron Wan-Bissaka cross wide from close range before appearing to have a muscular injury after 15 minutes, rendering him unable to continue.
Leny Yoro’s exit was similarly disheartening. The 18-year-old defender, who had joined United from Lille 10 days ago, went down and required extensive treatment before retiring.
Given the massive amount of injuries that wreaked havoc on manager Erik ten Hag’s season last year, losing two senior players in such a manner less than three weeks before United begin their new Premier League campaign against Fulham at Old Trafford on August 16 is not ideal.
“We have to wait 24 hours and then we will hopefully know more,” Ten Hag told MUTV.
“We were very careful, especially with Leny Yoro. It is disappointing he had to come off but let’s be positive and see what comes out.”
Despite a promising start, the outcome was not to the Ten Hag’s liking.
Gabriel Jesus levelled after 25 minutes with a close range strike that the Dutchman believed should have been ruled offside, before substitute Gabriel Martinelli cut inside 17-year-old rookie full-back James Scanlon to score the winner.
United won 4-3 in a pre-arranged penalty shootout, with Jadon Sancho scoring the game-winning penalty.
