Squawka
·23 July 2024
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·23 July 2024
Arsenal and Manchester United will continue their preparations for the new Premier League season when they meet in a pre-season friendly on Sunday at 1am (UK time).
Mikel Arteta’s side plan to play three games in the States before heading back to London, while the Red Devils also have three fixtures on the cards this summer in the USA.
The Gunners will want to build on last season’s efforts, as they finished second to Manchester City in the title race. Meanwhile, Man Utd qualified for the Europa League after winning the FA Cup at the expense of City.
While Arsenal were always looking to push on under Arteta, Man Utd did reportedly look at other options towards the end of last season. But Erik ten Hag was handed a new deal and will be in the dugout at the SoFi Stadium in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Arsenal right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu misses the club’s tour of the USA after suffering a knee injury. The club’s medical staff have yet to determine the severity of the issue, but he is now a doubt for the start of the new season.
Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale, David Raya and William Saliba were not named in the 26-man squad, as they continue to rest after their efforts at Euro 2024 in Germany. But Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz will have linked up before this game.
Like Tomiyasu, left-back Kieran Tierney is sidelined with a hamstring problem.
Ten Hag was without five players for the clash with Rangers, but Anthony, Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay and Victor Lindelof have all returned to training before they depart for the United States.
Arsenal (4-3-3): Hein; White, Timber, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Smith Rowe; Vieira, Nketiah, Jesus.
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana; Ogunneye, Fish, Evans, Amass; Casemiro, Mount, McTominay; Antony, Wheatley, Rashford.
Red Devils out to prove a point
Man Utd triggered a one-year extension in Ten Hag’s contract at the start of the month, meaning that he is now tied to the club until 2026.
The former Ajax boss has won two trophies during his two-year stay at Old Trafford, but he was criticised for the club’s performances last season as they missed out on a place in the top six.
Man Utd’s new co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, conducted a review of the team’s performances after the club’s FA Cup success, but it was thought that Ten Hag was the man to take the side forward.
While Arsenal have yet to play a friendly this summer at the time of writing, United have already lost 1-0 to Rosenborg before they beat Rangers 2-0 last time out.
The Red Devils showed signs of weakness in both games, but Ten Hag will hope an improved performance against Arsenal will lay down a marker for the rest of the pre-season schedule.
Arsenal will take on Bournemouth before they face the Red Devils, and it will be the second year in succession that the two sides have played each other in the United States.