Manchester United continued their pre-season adventures by moving over to the US, and awaiting them first was a domestic rival in Arsenal. While United continue to rotate and change their squad throughout the games, Arsenal’s senior squad looks slightly clearer and a bit more ready for action, however United showed a solid performance that could signify a promising belief for the upcoming season.

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Teams

Manchester United: Heaton, Shaw (Lindelof 46′), Martinez (Maguire 46′), Varane (Dalot 46′), Wan-Bissaka (Williams 46′), Mount (Eriksen 46′), Mainoo (Casemiro 46′), Garnacho (McTominay 46′), Fernandes (Rashford 46′), Antony (Forson 46′), Sancho (Amad 46′ – Pellistri 59′)

Subs: Bishop, Vitek, Fernandez, Van de Beek, Gore, Mejbri

Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu (Tierney 46′), Gabriel, Saliba (Smith Rowe 71′), Timber (White 59′), Havertz (Jorginho 71′), Rice (Partey 59′), Odegaard, Martinelli (Jesus 59′), Nketiah (Viera 71′), Saka (Trossard 71′)

Subs: Runarsson, Hein, Kiwior, Holding, Trusty, Cozier-Duberry, Balogun, Marquinhos

Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal

Manchester United earned a confident 2–0 victory over Arsenal in their pre-season friendly at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 22 July 2023. Bruno Fernandes, newly appointed as club captain, opened the scoring on the half-hour mark with a powerful long-range strike that slipped through the grasp of Aaron Ramsdale. Just seven minutes later, Jadon Sancho capitalised on a defensive lapse from Gabriel Magalhães, racing onto a loose ball before finishing emphatically past the Arsenal goalkeeper to double United’s advantage.

United looked sharper and more cohesive throughout the first half, particularly in transition, with Erik ten Hag’s pressing system clearly taking shape. Arsenal, despite controlling periods of possession, struggled to turn their build-up play into real threat and were undone by individual mistakes. After the interval, both managers made a series of changes typical of pre-season fixtures, but the rhythm of the match slowed and neither side managed to alter the score line. Kai Havertz came closest for the Gunners, sending a header narrowly over the bar, while United remained disciplined and compact in defence.

Though the result held no competitive weight, the win offered encouragement for Ten Hag’s squad ahead of the 2023–24 campaign, showcasing energy, organisation, and a clinical edge. For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the evening provided a valuable reminder of the fine margins that separate the Premier League’s top sides. In front of more than 80,000 fans in New Jersey, United’s early-season sharpness proved decisive, delivering both a morale boost and a clean sheet to carry into their remaining tour fixtures.

Talking Points

Manchester United’s 2–0 win over Arsenal at the MetLife Stadium kept Erik ten Hag’s side perfect in their 2023 pre-season campaign, extending their 100% record. Goals from Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho capped off another composed display, as United continued to look well-drilled and tactically sharp ahead of the new season. Ten Hag’s emphasis on pressing, quick transitions, and structured build-up play was evident once again, suggesting that the squad has carried forward much of the cohesion from last year’s progress. For supporters, it was another encouraging sign that United are developing both rhythm and consistency at an important stage of preparation.

Facing Arsenal provided exactly the sort of high-level test United needed during their pre-season schedule. While friendly matches rarely carry the same intensity as competitive fixtures, the encounter had a clear edge, with both sides eager to measure themselves against domestic rivals. The likes of Fernandes, Sancho, and Kobbie Mainoo impressed for United, while Arsenal’s new recruits, including Kai Havertz and Declan Rice, were given a taste of how they might fit into Mikel Arteta’s evolving system. Matches of this calibre help both managers assess depth, fitness, and tactical flexibility, especially against opposition they’ll meet regularly in the Premier League.

That said, the broader takeaway remains that pre-season form counts for little once the real campaign begins. Both Ten Hag and Arteta will know that fitness, rhythm, and experimentation are the main priorities, not results. United’s flawless record will undoubtedly boost morale, but it’s the performances in August and beyond that will determine whether this summer’s optimism carries substance. For now, the win over Arsenal offers encouragement and useful lessons in equal measure, serving as a reminder that while pre-season victories look good on paper, they are only a foundation for the challenges to come.