Arsenal had the winner when substitute Gabriel Martinelli scored the winner on the 90th minute but United won on penalties, with Red Devils fans anxiously awaiting the health of Højlund and Yoro due to injuries. The friendly match at Sofi Stadium was between Arsenal and Man Utd.
Starting lineups
Arsenal: Karl Hain, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Eyden Heaven, Jurrian Timber, Ben White, Ethan Nwaneri, Jorginho, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossa, Gabriel Jesus, Reiss Nelson
Manchester United: Andre Onana, Harry Amass, Harry Maguire, Lanie Yoro, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Toby Collyer, Casemiro, Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount, Amad Diallo, Rasmus Højlund
Game summary
Manchester United’s counter-attack in the 10th minute, Marcus Rashford crossed the ball to Rasmus Højlund who controlled the ball and dragged it away from Eden Heath to shoot from a tight angle to give the Red Devils a 1-0 lead. However, four minutes later, the Danish striker was injured and had to be substituted, with Hannibal Mebri coming on as his replacement.
In the 26th minute, Arsenal gradually passed the ball down the left before Ethan Nwaneri crossed the ball in front of the goal for Gabriel Jesus. The first half ended in a 1-1 draw.
In the 62nd minute, Manchester United’s rising star James Scanlon brought the ball up beautifully and passed it to Antony, who moved to the left and shot, but the ball flew over the bar. In the 70th minute, Christian Eriksen caught the ball about 25 yards away and tried to press with his right but the ball hit Gabriel’s head and went out for a corner kick. In the 81st minute, Gabriel Martinelli, who had just come on as a substitute, soloed and cut the ball into the middle of the penalty area before shooting with his right foot across the goal past Andre Onana’s hands, giving Arsenal a 2-1 lead and ending 90 minutes with this score.
However, this football tournament has a peculiar format; matches continue with a penalty shootout irrespective of the scoreline, and it was Manchester United who was more precisive and won 4-3 in the shootout.
Erik ten Hag’s verdict on Leny Yoro and Rasmus Højlund’s injuries
Manchester United played Arsenal in a friendly in the United States, with the Red Devils taking the lead through Rasmus Højlund before Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinell scored to give the Gunners a comeback win in the 90th minute, but United were the better team in the penalty shootout. However, after Højlund scored, he was substituted due to an injury, and new defender Leni Yoro was substituted with an injury at half-time.
Regarding the matter, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag told the club’s official media that they are still unable to assess the injuries of Højlund and Yoro. “Of course, it is too early to tell about the injuries. We have to wait 24 hours, and we hope to know more. We’ve been very careful, especially with Leny (Yoro), he’s only trained at 50 percent. He’s very upset that he had to come off, but hopefully it’s positive and we’ll see what happens.”
The new no. 9: Højlund’s next chapter
Manchester United have decided to give the number 9 shirt to Rasmus Højlund, the Danish striker, for the 2024/2025 season. Højlund previously wore the number 11 shirt for the “Red Devils” in his first season playing at Old Trafford after moving from Atalanta for a fee of 72 million pounds with the hope of scoring goals. The Danish striker scored 16 goals in 43 games in all competitions in his debut season with Manchester United, but the player will receive the number 9 shirt next season, replacing Anthony Martial, who left the “Red Devils” this summer.
Of course, there have been successes and failures among United players who have worn the number 9, so Højlund will have to prove that he is the right striker to wear the number. In his first game as United’s number 9, he scored against Arsenal but went off injured almost straight away. Let’s hope that this is not a trend he aims to replicate throughout the season. Will Rasmus Hojlund win the Premier League Golden Boot in 2025? Place your bets at happy-luke and receive free credit worth 75 baht now!
Manchester United’s previous no. 9 in the Premier League era
- Brian McClair: 1993/1994 Premier League-FA Cup double, the first in Ferguson’s era
- Andy Cole: Formed a devastating partnership with Dwight Yorke, won the legendary treble in 1999
- Louis Saha: injury prone but had his moments, won the Champions League in 2008
- Dimitar Berbatov: 2010/2011 Premier League Golden Boot with 20 goals, including a hat-trick versus Liverpool
- Radamel Falcao: utter disappointment, scored 4 goals in all competitions
- Anthony Martial: 50 million pounds with no consistency and plagued with injuries
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic: scored 17 league goals in his debut season and won three trophies with the club
- Romelu Lukaku: great first year, but dropped off quickly due to his lack of abilities with the ball
- Rasmus Højlund: great first year, won the 2024 FA Cup