Manchester United’s pre-season tour in the United States took an unfortunate turn as they faced Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Despite showing promise with an early lead, the game ended in a 2-1 defeat for United, raising concerns about persistent issues from last season. This match highlighted three major problems that Erik ten Hag must address before the Premier League season kicks off: injury troubles, midfield imbalance, and full-back availability.

Injury Problems Resurface

Injuries were a significant hindrance to Manchester United’s ambitions last season, and the trend seems to continue. The club has been struck by another wave of injuries, notably to Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro, during their pre-season clash with Arsenal. Both players had to be substituted early in the game due to injuries, raising alarm bells for manager Erik ten Hag. Hojlund, gave the team an early lead with a powerful strike past Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Karl Hein. The Denmark international showed glimpses of his potential by linking up well with Marcus Rashford and showcasing his physical prowess. However, his night ended abruptly when he limped off the field after just 15 minutes, seemingly suffering from a hamstring issue. This forced withdrawal underscores the fragility of United’s attacking options and how reliant they might be on their star striker staying fit.

Leny Yoro, faced a similar fate. The 18-year-old center-back, who joined United from Lille for £52 million, required lengthy treatment before being substituted. His injury is particularly concerning given United’s defensive vulnerabilities. With Victor Lindelof already sidelined due to a minor injury, Yoro’s absence leaves Ten Hag with limited options at the back. The manager expressed his disappointment but remained hopeful that both players would recover soon, stating, “We have to wait 24 hours and then we will hopefully know more.”

Midfield Balance Still Elusive

Manchester United’s midfield balance remains a pressing issue, as evidenced by their performance against Arsenal. The team struggled to control the tempo of the game, often being outplayed in the middle of the park. The arrival of Mason Mount from Chelsea was expected to bring creativity and energy to the midfield, but his impact was limited in this fixture. Mount’s performance showed flashes of brilliance, but he was unable to provide the consistent drive and control needed to dominate the game. Operating as a No. 10, he displayed quick feet and intelligent movement, yet the midfield trio lacked cohesion, often leaving gaps that Arsenal exploited. Ten Hag must find a solution to integrate Mount effectively alongside Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo to ensure a more balanced and resilient midfield. Casemiro’s future is still in doubt, but even if the Brazilian stays back at Old Trafford, his form last season clearly showed that he is no longer at the peak of his powers.

Full-Back Availability and Depth

Full-back availability continues to be a concern for Manchester United, with injuries and form issues affecting their defensive stability. The match against Arsenal exposed vulnerabilities on both flanks, which Arteta’s side capitalized on. James Scanlon, a 17-year-old attacking midfielder, was handed a rare start in this pre-season fixture but struggled to cope with Arsenal’s attacking threats. Gabriel Martinelli turned inside Scanlon to score the decisive goal, emphasizing United’s lack of depth and experience in the full-back positions. The fact that ten Hag had to play a 17 year old attacking midfielder in the full back position highlights the necessity for United to bolster their defensive options, especially with the demands of a long and competitive season ahead. It’s clear that Aaron Wan-Bissaka is not going to be the modern attacking full back which all top teams in Europe possess. So with Luke Shaw and Malacia’s injury woes, if United do not sign another full back in this transfer window, they will have a major problem next season/

Manchester United’s pre-season defeat to Arsenal served as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead for Erik ten Hag and his squad. The persistent issues of injury management, midfield imbalance, and full-back availability need urgent attention if the team is to improve upon their previous campaign’s eighth-place finish. Ten Hag’s side will need to regroup quickly, with the Premier League opener against Fulham just weeks away. The return of key players from injury and strategic additions to the squad could make a significant difference. Still, the match against Arsenal highlighted that much work remains to be done to ensure United can compete at the highest level.

Manchester United’s Remaining Pre-Season Schedule

– **July 31**: Man Utd vs. Real Betis – Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, kick-off 7 pm local time (5 am August 1 UK time)
– **August 3**: Man Utd vs. Liverpool – Brice Stadium, South Carolina, kick-off 7:30 pm local time (12:30 am August 4 UK time)
– **August 10**: Community Shield: Man City vs. Man Utd – Wembley, kick-off 3 pm