Manchester United fans in the US have been enjoying the club’s pre-season tour. Here’s what they have to look forward to next week.
Jonny Evans could return to the Red Devils this summer. But they’ll need to meet his demands to sign him beyond 2023.
Erik ten Hag wants to bring in new talent this summer. He has a shortlist of options and could choose Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow or Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kevin Trapp as his next goalkeeper.
United vs. Arsenal
The big-name rivalry between Arsenal and manchester united news is starting to heat up again. The two clubs that once dominated the Premier League are now in an exciting phase of their respective resurgence, with both teams capable of competing for the title again this year. But it won’t be easy for either side, and this clash will provide a good early test for both squads.
Both sides will be eager to get off to a winning start in the league, and a goalless draw looks very unlikely at the MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Jets and Giants. The Red Devils will likely sit deep to absorb pressure before attacking on the counter, while Arsenal will look to attack the space in behind United’s full-backs.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — In their first game of pre-season, the Manchester United squad kicked off its tour in New Jersey with a 2-0 victory against the Arsenal Under-21s at the MetLife Stadium. Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho scored in the first half to give the Red Devils a good start to their US tour.
Despite being short-handed, the visitors controlled the majority of possession throughout the match. The only disappointment was that the Red Devils did not score a third goal. The young guns will need to learn to create more goalscoring opportunities, especially against top opponents like this.
Erik ten Hag’s side has started well in the league under his leadership, although it is still a work in progress. The Gunners are a lot more unified and tactically aware than they were under Arsene Wenger, while the arrivals of Christian Eriksen, Antony, Tyrell Malacia, and more have boosted their overall quality.
Both sides had chances to extend their lead in the second half. Diogo Dalot danced through the Arsenal defence and crossed for a tap-in by Marcus Rashford, but the striker did not connect cleanly with the ball. Facundo Pellistri also blazed an effort over the crossbar for the visitors, while Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah hit his shot wide of the far post.
United vs. Chelsea
Manchester United are attempting to build on their victory over Tottenham Hotspur with another Premier League win, and they have been given a good chance to do so by a visit from Chelsea at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have enjoyed a good start to the season under Erik ten Hag and are unbeaten in all competitions since a loss to Manchester City in November.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are struggling for form and are a long way behind the top four with a guaranteed bottom-half finish awaiting them. They have lost three of their last five matches and will be desperate to pick up a positive result against their rivals this evening.
United made a positive start to the match against Spurs and they should be pleased with the performance of their defence, particularly in the opening minutes. They were also able to create chances of their own, but could not convert any of them.
The game had barely got underway when Jose Mourinho was forced to make changes. Juan Mata was replaced by Marcos Alonso at left-back, and Antonio Valencia was dropped to the bench. Jorginho is likely to start in central midfield again, alongside Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, while he will look to lead the line for the Blues with accurate short passing.
Casemiro headed United in front after just six minutes and they never looked back. Alonso was guilty of a clumsy foul on Marcus Rashford in the penalty area, and the striker converted the resulting spot kick to give his side a deserved lead.
After the break, Chelsea improved and had a number of chances to equalise. Lewis Hall went close with a shot on the edge of the box, while Enzo Fernandez played in Kai Havertz but his effort was blocked by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
As the game drew to a close, a late goal looked like it might hand Chelsea a point, but it was ultimately disallowed after an offside flag was raised on Attwell’s clearance. It looked like the ball was over the line, but technology linked to Attwell’s watch proved that it was just inside the line.
United vs. Liverpool
The ebb and flow of Manchester United’s history has been defined by their rivalry with Liverpool. Even a match as mundane as this one in the second round of the Europa League was enough to send shockwaves through the English game. That day in May 2026 is now a fixture on the calendars of every Red Devil and Liverpool fan as well as being an important marker in the evolution of the Klopp era.
It was a meeting of the titans that had little bearing on the title race but will be remembered as a ludicrously enjoyable encounter between two teams whose styles were polar opposites. Liverpool were the energised, high-pressing side that had been the hallmark of Klopp’s early days at Anfield while United were the considered and possession-oriented team of Louis van Gaal.
Despite their differences in style Liverpool dominated the first half and took advantage of an utterly lacklustre start from United. Cody Gakpo got the ball rolling with an excellent strike from close range after some superb slide-rule work from Andrew Robertson.
After a goalless interval, United finally clicked into gear and the equaliser came through the unlikely figure of Dimitar Berbatov who scored a pair of brilliant headers – the kind of diffident genius that the Bulgarian was best known for during his time at White Hart Lane.
The goal seemed to give the visitors new life and they controlled the final 15 minutes of the half. But it was all to no avail as they conceded a late winner courtesy of Jesse Lingard’s header from a corner.
Klopp is likely to ring the changes at half-time and he could replace Milner with Fabinho in order to add some defensive solidity to his team. But the Reds have a lot to prove with a top four place still up for grabs and there was nothing about their performance in this game to suggest that they will not be there come the end of the season.
United vs. Manchester City
The Manchester derby is back on the agenda, with City aiming to end United’s unbeaten run in this fixture. But it’s not just the bragging rights that are on the line – the winner of this match could end up with a better chance at winning the title than their neighbours.
Manchester City are a club on the up. That’s largely been down to the addition of several talented players under Pep Guardiola. But they are also playing with a newfound confidence and a greater sense of purpose, which is evident in the way they have fought back from two goals down to beat their rivals at Old Trafford.
It’s customary for City to dominate this game and leave the home team wilting, but the Red Devils have shown they can hold their own at the Etihad. In particular, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw were excellent in limiting the space for City to operate in, while Casemiro has added an irresistibly streetwise edge to a midfield that had been a bit shaky without him.
And then there’s Marcus Rashford. The England striker has been a revelation since his return from injury and his goal against City will surely be remembered as one of the biggest goals in this storied history of the rivalry.
In his post-match interview, United manager Erik ten Hag said that he has been pleased with the progress made by his team this season. But he warned his squad that they need to improve further if they are to catch their dominant neighbours.
Earlier, Khaldoon Al Mubarak had said that the financial allegations against his club were “frustrating and distressing”. He added: “I hope people focus on their football and judge them on what they are achieving in all competitions and not on their off-field activities.”
Manchester United have signed defender Josh Wilson-Esbrand on loan from Ligue 1 side Reims for the 2023-24 season. The 20-year-old made his debut for the Blues in a Carabao Cup win over Wycombe Wanderers in September and was a regular in the second half of last season as Coventry City reached the Championship play-off final.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Manchester United continues to be a powerhouse in the world of football, attracting immense attention from fans and media alike. With its rich history, passionate fanbase, and ongoing pursuit of excellence, the club remains a captivating subject of news and speculation, making headlines globally.
FAQs:
- Q: What are Manchester United’s recent achievements?
A: As of my last update in September 2021, some of Manchester United’s recent achievements included securing a top-four position in the English Premier League, participating in major cup competitions, and making strides in signing promising young talents.
- Q: Who are the key players in Manchester United?
A: As player rosters can change frequently, it’s best to refer to the latest news for the current key players at Manchester United. Traditionally, players like Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Paul Pogba have been integral to the team, but newer talents might have emerged since then.