Manchester United are one of the most famous and successful football teams in England. They have won many league titles and European Cups over the years. They are also known as The Red Devils.
New signing Andre Onana took part in training with his new teammates for the first time as he prepares to replace David de Gea as the club’s No 1.
Pre-season Friendly With Arsenal
Manchester united news and Arsenal meet for the first time in a pre-season friendly on American soil. The two sides clashed in a fiery encounter at MetLife Stadium on Saturday night, with goals from Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho giving the Red Devils victory.
The fixture was a physical contest, a typical of the fierce rivalry that exists between the north London rivals. The match was also marred by violence in the stands as tensions boiled over during the game. In the end, it was the Arsenal supporters who took the brunt of the fighting, with the home fans seen brawling on the touchline at one stage.
It was a disappointing result for the Gunners who are expected to compete for top spot in the Premier League this season. However, their players should take heart in the fact that they were playing their first game under new manager Mikel Arteta. The former Arsenal midfielder will be looking to lead his team to a successful campaign.
Arsenal are set to take on a host of other big-name teams during their US tour, including Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. But their clash with the Red Devils will be one of the most eagerly-awaited matches of the week.
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and is set to kick off at 03:30 BST. It will be a crucial test for both teams as they prepare for the start of the 2023-24 season. New signing Andre Onana is expected to make his debut for United, while Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey will also feature. Both clubs are likely to name their strongest possible squad for the match.
New Signing Andre Onana
In many ways this is an important match for Onana. He has been brought in as a replacement for David de Gea, who left last season after a breakdown in his relationship with United and the failure to agree on a new contract.
Onana’s arrival at Old Trafford appears to be close with personal terms already agreed and the transfer being finalised by US-based agents Wasserman. Ten Hag’s decision to actively pursue another goalkeeper is a clear sign of the new urgency within the club.
The Dutchman sees Onana as someone who will improve upon De Gea in a number of ways and, having worked together at Ajax, knows what the 27-year-old brings to the table. Onana’s ability to play with the ball at his feet is one of the strengths that will appeal to Ten Hag, a trait that De Gea often struggled with.
Aside from his kicking ability, Onana has the qualities that have been missing from United’s defensive set-up, with a better understanding of the game out of the back and good communication skills. The Cameroonian is a natural winner and has a personality that fits well with the culture at the club.
A fine-tooth comb was also applied to Onana’s personal terms, with the negotiations overseen by Matt Hargreaves, who joined United as their new head of transfers from Adidas in June. He has been tasked with ensuring that the club moves away from big basic contracts, in favour of incentivised deals with more bonus payments.
Mason Greenwood – Not Traveling For Tour
Manchester United have a plethora of attacking options but Greenwood is an exceptional talent and one of the best finishers in the current squad. He is able to score goals from all over the pitch and can give Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial a run for their money when it comes to scoring a tap in from close range. However, it appears as though the youngster won’t get that chance as he is not traveling with the team for their tour of the US.
The club has reportedly opted against letting him return to the first team because they are still investigating the circumstances surrounding his arrest for alleged rape and assault on a woman. The club’s ownership has reportedly been split with some staff at the football department arguing that he should be given another opportunity and other executives more wary of the potential for damage to the brand.
Although Greenwood was a member of the senior squad last season and scored a goal against Arsenal, he was primarily used as an impact substitute. He was not given a place in the starting XI against Wolves on December 29, but he did start against Liverpool the following week in the EFL Cup.
He was also an important player for the Under 21 side which reached the semi-finals of the Europa League in the final two months of the campaign. He was able to add an extra dimension to the team with his speed and ability to create space for others in attack.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was keen to shield the talented forward from the media during that period, only allowing him to speak in private and not during press conferences. He was a favourite of the youngsters and the rest of the coaching staff as well.
Bruno Fernandes – Explains Why Erik Ten Hag Gave Him The captaincy
The Dutchman explained that he chose Fernandes as captain because of his leadership qualities. He said that the midfielder is hard-working and a good communicator. He also added that the Portuguese is ‘ball-secure and has good solutions on the ball’. Ten Hag believes that these qualities will help him lead his team-mates in a positive way.
Ten Hag has already given Fernandes the captaincy on a permanent basis after stripping Harry Maguire of the armband last week. The England defender was previously United’s skipper but he fell behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw in the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Fernandes was a de facto captain for much of the season and Ten Hag believes that he can step up to the challenge of leading his club in their US tour opener against Arsenal.
Meanwhile, ten Hag gave youngster Kobbie Mainoo a start in Saturday’s 2-0 friendly win over Arsenal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The 18-year-old did well in his first senior appearance for the Red Devils and the boss is confident that he can progress further under his tutelage.
Elsewhere, Manchester United are in the hunt for a centre-back following Eric Bailly’s departure to PSG. The club have been linked with moves for Monaco’s Axel Disai and Newcastle’s Jamaal Lascelles. Arsenal could ‘nip in’ to sign the defender though, according to The Sun, and take him from under Man Utd’s noses. The Gunners have been able to convince the player’s agent to allow them to talk with their rivals in recent weeks.
Mason Mount – Brings A Winning Mentality To Old Trafford
Mason Mount will certainly bring a winning mentality to Manchester United with his decision to leave his boyhood club Chelsea in a massive transfer for the Red Devils. The 24-year-old midfielder signed a five-year deal at Old Trafford for an initial fee of PS55m plus difficult add-ons, despite having a year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge.
This move has been the brainchild of manager Erik ten Hag, who saw him as the perfect fit for his high-energy press-based system. His ability to move in and out of possession and play in several different positions will also be crucial for the Red Devils this season.
He will provide additional depth to a central midfield that already includes Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek. All of those players have shown some degree of inconsistency last season, and adding Mount will only improve the quality of that group.
When Mount is at his best, he provides off ball work like few others in the Premier League. He can move with the ball to help a team break out of their own half, or he can stay in the middle and create for his teammates.
This adaptability will also make him a useful weapon for ten Hag when dealing with tricky opponents such as Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham. His willingness to put in the hard yards and his relentless drive to win will resonate with Manchester United’s historic ethos and winning mentality. Mount has the potential to become a key cog in this young United side and will be eager to prove that his decision to move to Old Trafford was the right one.
Conclusion
As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, Manchester United’s latest news and developments may not be available. To stay updated with the most current information on the club, I recommend checking reliable sports news sources or the official Manchester United website for the latest updates on players, matches, and other developments.
FAQs:
- How can I get the latest Manchester United news? To get the most up-to-date news on Manchester United, you can follow reputable sports news websites, subscribe to official club newsletters, or follow their social media accounts. This way, you’ll receive timely updates on player transfers, match results, and other important developments.
- What was Manchester United’s performance in the previous season? As my information is current up to September 2021, I cannot provide specific details on Manchester United’s performance in the most recent season. For the latest season’s performance, including league standings, match results, and player performances, please refer to recent sports news sources or the club’s official website for comprehensive updates.
