Erik ten Hag and Manchester United got off to a brilliant start in their pre-season tour with a friendly 2-0 win over Premier League rivals, Arsenal. The match was played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States, in front of a record crowd of 82,262. 
Manchester United and Arsenal play a pre-season match at MetLife Stadium Manchester United’s new captain Bruno Fernandes gave his side an early advantage with a long rang effort. Gunners goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale did get a strong hand to the ball, but still failed to stop the goal. Just seven minutes later, Jadon Sancho doubled United’s lead, as he capitalised on Gabriel Magalhaes’ missed clearance and completed a brilliant finish past Ramsdale, putting the ball at the roof of the net. In the second half, Arsenal’s Kai Havertz had the best chance to score. He was picked out by a cross from Martin Odegaard, but the former Chelsea forward’s header did not hit the target. Arsenal, who had fielded new signings Havertz , Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber for the match, put on a dissapointing performance, which was made worse by a loss in penalty shootout as well. In the shootout, United converted all five of their spot kicks. Arsenal started their pre-season on July 8 with a 1-1 draw against Watford and followed it with a 1-1 draw against FC Nurnberg five days later. After this loss to United, they have matches against Barcelona, Monaco and Manchester City. They will take on Premier League Champions City for the FA Community Shield, as per Sky Sports.
Jadon Sancho sealed the win at the home of NFL teams the New York Giants and New York Jets. Source: Getty This is United’s third friendly of the summer having already beaten Leeds and Lyon in earlier contests. They have a hectic schedule over the coming weeks with clashes against Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Wrexham to come this month still. Next month, there is no slowing down with matches against Lens and Athletic Bilbao to come before the new Premier League season gets underway. United have already signed Mason Mount and Andre Onana, though the latter did not make the squad on Saturday night.
Rashford celebrates his goal for Manchester United. Source: Reuters The 25-year-old became the first player to reach the 30-goal mark for United since Robin van Persie in the 2012/13 season. Rashford’s goals helped United secure a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League, which has helped convince him the club is on the right path under Ten Hag. He has now agreed to a deal that will make him the club’s highest earner. The Athletic reported that an ‘agreement in principle’ has been reached regarding the signing of a new contract. Although a possible wage is not reported in the aforementioned outlet, it has previously been suggested that Marcus Rashford could earn a rise, taking him into the region of £375,000 per week in the new contract with Manchester United. 
Manchester United and Barcelona playing a Europa match at Old Trafford. Source: Getty Barca, meanwhile, were issued a larger €500,000 ($560,700) fine “for wrongly reporting, in the financial year 2022, profits on disposal of intangible assets (other than player transfers) which are not a relevant income under the regulations.” The former European champions each earned tens of millions of euros (dollars) in UEFA prize money last season. Barcelona played in the Champions League group stage, but lost in the Europa League knockout playoffs to United, who were eliminated at the quarterfinal stage by eventual winner Sevilla. A group of storied clubs including AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain who were fined by UEFA last September, all met their stricter financial targets for last season. They will continue to be monitored for compliance over the next year. The FFP rules which Manchester United and Barcelona breached, were introduced by UEFA in 2009 to prevent football clubs from spending more than they earn in pursuit of success and risking their long-term financial health. 
Mason Mount getting harassed for an autograph. Source: TikTok video “Professional autograph hunters are regularly pressuring United’s players to sign large quantities of items that they then sell for hundreds of pounds. It has become an every day occurrence and a major problem at Carrington. “These organised groups will block players’ cars and harass them as they arrive and leave their workplace. It is becoming really dangerous and you have to worry that it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt. “It also means that young fans, who just want to interact with their heroes, often miss out because players can’t stop to take pictures with them without having to engage with the groups. Mason Mount tells Man United fans to stop following him around after asking for a signed shirt for the last 3 days… pic.twitter.com/97C2t7WMOt — george (@StokeyyG2) July 14, 2023 “It’s a real frustration for everyone, security staff are in regular dialogue with the players around how to stop the problem. Action will definitely start to be taken if it continues to persist.” Mount joined the Red Devils from Chelsea for an initial £60m earlier in July and he made his debut in their pre-season win against Leeds United in Oslo on Wednesday, July 12. 
Harry Maguire on captain duty for Manchester United. Source: Getty He still retained the armband when on the field, but his future under Ten Hag now looks increasingly in doubt. Indeed, he’s reportedly part of an intended summer clear out, with David de Gea confirming on Saturday, July 8, that he’s leaving the club after 11 years. Maguire has been at Old Trafford since making a world-record £80 million switch from Leicester City in 2019 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge and was appointed captain soon after. But there have been calls to replace the centre-back in that particular role due to the change in his squad status, and now Ten Hag is ready to inflict more misery on Maguire by stripping him of the captaincy. According to The Sun, Maguire will be replaced as captain ‘over the course of the next week’ whether he decides to stay or leave. The England defender has a year left on his current deal and United may be looking to cash in to recover a sizeable fee. 
Justin Biljow on international duties for Netherland. Source: Getty Although Onana is happy to stay at Inter, there is a huge appetite from Erik ten Hag to bring his former player to the Premier League where he could serve as David de Gea’s long-term replacement. Talks have so far proven complex with Inter as the Champions League finalists continue to hold firm in transfer negotiations. United’s director of football operations David Harrison is said to have flown to Ibiza earlier this week to hold face-to-face discussions with Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio. Those with knowledge of negotiations are suggesting United could turn their back on the transfer. The Athletic reported that Manchester United have made contact to sign Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow, who could be an alternative target for Onana. The 25-year-old, who kept 15 clean sheets last season, is viewed as a cheaper alternative to Inter Milan’s Andre Onana, though nothing has advanced regarding a bid. 
Andre Onana at a match for Inter Milan. Source: Getty A fee of £40 million for Onana could prove too steep for Ten Hag’s side as officials are working with a net spend of around £100m for the entire transfer window following Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints. As a result, Bijlow could find himself higher up the list than he may have expected, as United looks to replace the long-serving Spaniard, one of the last players in the dressing room to have won the Premier League at the club. Bijlow is a current senior international with the Netherlands side, and has eight caps to his name, having also made up part of Louis Van Gaal’s 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar, though he failed to make an appearance. 
Inter Milan goalkeeper, Andre Onana. Source: Getty Onana has reportedly been identified by Man United head coach Erik ten Hag as his leading goalkeeping target this summer, with the Cameroonian previously playing under the Dutchman at Ajax. Inter Milan CEO who spoke at the Gran Gala in Italy last night, said while Manchester United have expressed an interest in Andre Onana, he is yet to receive an offer. Marotta said; “Manchester United expressed a particular interest, but that needs to blossom into making a proposal over the next few days. Once that happens, both Inter and the player will make a careful evaluation.” United will soon have to make a decision on a bid for Onana but also have the matter of De Gea’s future to resolve. 
Inter Milan CEO, Beppe Marotta. Source: Getty De Gea had agreed to a contract extension which would have seen his wages drop almost half, down to £200,000 a week, but United later withdrew that offer and have attempted to convince the goalkeeper to accept an even-greater pay cut. That latest proposal remains unsigned and De Gea is now set to become a free agent, with his United contract expiring on Friday evening. Even if De Gea can be convinced to stay at Old Trafford, United could still pursue a move for Onana, with manager Erik ten Hag keep to find high-level competition in goal. 27-year-old Onana moved to San Siro from Ajax last July, and he impressed football lovers at Inter during the 2022-23 campaign, helping them to reach the Champions League final, in addition to lifting the Italian Super Cup and Coppa Italia title. Onana featured on 41 occasions for his Italian side during the recent season, keeping 19 clean sheets in the process. 
Manchester United stadium, Old Trafford. Source: Club Website Three of the players have largely featured in youth and academy teams, the other three have been, at one time, prominent in the first team set-up. The club’s coach, Erik ten Hag has reportedly given his blessing to see Phil Jones, David de Gea, and Axel Tuanzebe leave. Ethan Galbraith, Charlie Wellens and Di’Shon Bernard are the others leaving. A lot of focus will be on De Gea and former United star Rio Ferdinand bemoaned the way the saga around the Spaniard’s future has been handled to this point. De Gea’s previous contract had a one-year extension clause which United declined to trigger due to concerns over his £375,000-a-week wages. De Gea, who becomes a free agent on the day of his wedding, could remain with United as the Red Devils have extended an offer and are planning to continue negotiations with the 32-year-old. 
Mason Mount thanking fans after a match. Source: AFP Having rejected three bids from United for Mount, Chelsea agreed to a transfer that will see them receive a £55 million fixed fee, with the potential of £5 million in add-ons which are strongly dependent on appearances and success. Mount will pocket at least £78 million in wages if he stays at Old Trafford for the full term of his deal, as he will be paid £250,000-a-week, plus bonuses that could earn him up to £300,000-a-week. Mount is Erik ten Hag’s first signing of the summer as he looks to strengthen his side following United’s qualification for next season’s Champions League. Manchester United originally believed a fee of £50 million would secure Mason Mount but are delighted with the terms that have been agreed. If the add-ons are paid, it means United have achieved their on-field aims. Chelsea had valued Mount at £70 million, but ideally wanted the situation resolved before head coach Mauricio Pochettino officially starts work on Monday, with the players due to start returning for pre-season training from Tuesday, July 4. 