Striker Rasmus Hojlund and £52m new-boy Leny Yoro both suffered first-half injuries as Manchester United lost their opening US tour game against Premier League rivals Arsenal in Los Angeles.
Hojlund had given his side a 10th-minute lead when he burst onto Marcus Rashford’s first-time pass, outmuscled young defender Ayden Heaven, then beat Karl Hein with a shot through his legs.
The Dane then turned a low Aaron Wan-Bissaka cross wide from close range before seeming to experience a muscle injury after 15 minutes that meant he could not continue.
Yoro’s exit was equally innocuous. The 18-year-old, who only joined United from Lille 10 days ago, went down and needed lengthy treatment, before he too, called it a day.
Given the huge number of injuries that wrecked last season for manager Erik ten Hag, to lose two senior players in such a manner less than three weeks before United open their new Premier League campaign against Fulham at Old Trafford on 16 August is not ideal.
And, despite the bright start, the result was not to the Dutchman’s satisfaction either.
Gabriel Jesus levelled with a close range finish after 25 minutes before substitute Gabriel Martinelli cut inside 17-year-old rookie full-back James Scanlon before applying the decisive finish.
United did win the pre-arranged penalty shoot-out that followed, with Jadon Sancho scoring the decisive spot-kick to seal a 4-3 win.
