3 things we learned from Manchester United’s defeat to Arsenal: Last season’s problems persist

Manchester United’s pre-season tour of the United States took an unfortunate turn when 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 lingering problems from last season. This game highlighted three major issues that Erik ten Hag needs to address before the start of the Premier League season: injury problems, midfield imbalance and full-back availability.

Injury problems reoccur

Injuries were a significant obstacle to Manchester United’s ambitions last season and the trend looks set to continue. The club was hit by another wave of injuries, notably to Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro, during the 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 goalkeeper Karl Hein. The Denmark international showed his potential by linking up well with Marcus Rashford and showing his physical prowess. However, his night came to an abrupt end when he limped off the pitch after just 15 minutes, apparently suffering from a hamstring problem. This forced withdrawal highlights the fragility of United’s attacking options and how reliant they would be on their star striker staying fit.

Leny Yoro, faced a similar fate. The 18-year-old centre-back, who joined United from Lille for £52million, required lengthy treatment before being replaced. His injury is particularly worrying given United’s defensive vulnerabilities. With Victor Lindelof already sidelined with 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, saying: “We have to wait 24 hours and then hopefully we will know more.”

Midfield balance is 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. Mason Mount’s arrival from Chelsea was expected to bring creativity and energy to the midfield, but his impact was limited in this match. Mount’s performance showed flashes of brilliance but failed to provide the drive and consistent control needed to dominate the game. Operating as a number 10, he showed quick feet and clever movement, however the midfield trio lacked cohesion, often leaving gaps which Arsenal exploited. The Ten Hag must find a solution to effectively integrate Mount 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 made it clear that he is no longer at his best.

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 game against Arsenal exposed vulnerabilities on both flanks, which Arteta’s side capitalized on. James Scanlon, a 17-year-old attacking midfielder, was given a rare start in this pre-season game but struggled to deal with Arsenal’s attacking threats. Gabriel Martinelli turned inside Scanlon to score the decisive goal, highlighting United’s lack of depth and experience in the full-back positions. That ten Hag had to play a 17-year-old attacking midfielder in the full-back position highlights the need for United to strengthen their defensive options, especially with the demands of a long and competitive season ahead. It is clear that Aaron Wan-Bissaka will not be the modern attacking full-back that all the top teams in Europe possess. So with the injury troubles of Luke Shaw and Malacia, if United don’t sign another defender 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 ahead for Erik ten Hag and his team. Persistent injury management issues, midfield imbalance and full-back availability require urgent attention if the team is to improve on last campaign’s eighth place finish. Ten Hag’s side will need to regroup quickly with their 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. However, the game against Arsenal highlighted that much remains to be done for United to 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 19:00 local time (5:00, 1 August UK time)
– **August 3**: Man Utd vs. Liverpool – Brice Stadium, South Carolina, kick-off 19:30 local time (12:30 4 August UK time)
– **August 10**: Community Shield: Man City vs. Man Utd – Wembley, kick-off 15:00