Man Utd won when rookie Hojlund was injured

Scores: Rashford 48, Antony 53, Casemiro 59 - Sotoca 23

Man Utd received bad news before the match when rookie Hojlund was identified with an injury while playing for Atalanta. The 20-year-old striker is expected to take a few weeks of rest to be able to play, so at the "Red Devils" debut at Old Trafford today, August 5, he was not registered to play.

Man Utd's sadness dragged into the match, when another rookie, Mason Mount squandered the opportunity to cushion the ball close to the goal in front of an almost empty goal in the 15th minute. Eight minutes later, rookie Andre Onana's turn had to go into the net to pick up the ball. from Florian Sotoca's shot in the middle of the field. However, the Cameroonian goalkeeper was not at fault because defender Diogo Dalot failed to pass carelessly to help the visitors score.

Antony shined first with a breakthrough on the right and then poked a gap for Rashford to break the offside trap and plunge into the penalty area. The English striker shot diagonally to the foot of defender Lens and changed direction into the net. Five minutes later, it was Rashford's turn to drop the ball for Garnacho to rush up the left. The Argentine midfielder passed to the right of the penalty area for Antony to shoot in an empty position into the net. In the 59th minute, Luke Shaw suspended the ball from the left for Rashford to head past Casemiro into the net. All three of Man Utd's goals were a bit wobbly, but did not detract from the joy of the Old Trafford audience.

The two tables apart is safe enough for Ten Hag to experiment for the rest of the time. Jadon Sancho replaced Garnacho but played in midfield, while Mount drifted to the left. Then, 19-year-old midfielder Omari Forson also played his first game for the first team at Old Trafford, when he replaced Antony. The match in the second half of the second half took place at a low speed, when the home team tried to keep the ball firmly and kick slowly.

Man Utd also play one more friendly match against Athletic Bilbao in Dublin, Ireland on August 6, but will only be for young players. Ten Hag's teachers and students started a new season in the 2023-2024 Premier League against Wolverhampton on the evening of August 14.