Drawing definitive conclusions from a summer tour game would be imprudent, but it is safe to say that the new signings from Manchester United and Arsenal showcased their talent in this encounter. What made this meeting more significant was the recognition from Erik ten Hag, the manager of United, and Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal counterpart, that their teams will be rivals in the upcoming campaign.
Both managers fielded strong starting line-ups in front of a sell-out crowd at the MetLife Stadium, with players like Mason Mount, Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, and Kai Havertz getting the chance to prove themselves. Mount, who was acquired for £55m, made his third start, while André Onana, Ten Hag’s recent addition, was not ready to be a substitute yet after his £44.1m move. However, Onana did participate in the warm-up.
Tom Heaton took the position of United’s No. 1 goalkeeper and made impressive saves against Gabriel Martinelli. Rice, on the other hand, operated as a deep-pivot player for Arsenal, aiming to control the game.
Bruno Fernandes, in his first match as United’s new captain, displayed great decision-making by setting up a chance for Antony from Shaw’s pass. Although the opportunity was missed, Fernandes applauded his left-back’s vision. Ten Hag deployed United in his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, with Mount and Kobbie Mainoo in central midfield, and Jadon Sancho as the No. 9.
Arteta explained that Timber, Rice, and Havertz were signed to improve the team’s quality in areas that were lacking before. The sight of captain Martin Ødegaard beautifully chipping the ball for Eddie Nketiah must have delighted Arteta, who hopes that the combination of the Norwegian and the German will be a potent force.
Mount had a relatively quiet game, playing in a position where he didn’t excel during his time at Chelsea. However, he demonstrated his defensive awareness by tracking Havertz all the way back into his own area.
Fernandes opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a long-range left-footed shot that should have been a routine save for the Arsenal goalkeeper, but it slipped under his body. United soon doubled their lead when Sancho sprinted past Gabriel and fired a goal from a tight angle. This finish showcased Sancho’s belief, which has sometimes been questioned. The second half saw substitutions for all outfield United players.
Next, United will face Wrexham in San Diego and Real Madrid in Houston, while Arsenal will take on Barcelona in Los Angeles. These matches will provide further insight into the managers’ plans and how the new signings fit in.
In conclusion, while it may be premature to draw concrete conclusions, the performances of the new signings for both Manchester United and Arsenal in this preseason game were promising. The managers acknowledged each other’s teams as rivals for the upcoming season, adding an extra layer of significance to the match.
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