Man Utd 2-0 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners fall flat at MetLife

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 22: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 0-1during the USA summer friendly game between Arsenal and Manchester United at MetLife Stadium on July 22, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 22: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 0-1during the USA summer friendly game between Arsenal and Manchester United at MetLife Stadium on July 22, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal underwhelmed in New Jersey as they were overwhelmed by Manchester United on Saturday night and fell to a 2-0 pre-season defeat.

Mikel Arteta named a very strong starting XI which included all three summer signings against a somewhat undermanned Man United team, but it was the Red Devils who took full control in the first half thanks to two Arsenal errors.

After Aaron Ramsdale allowed Bruno Fernandes to open the scoring with an effort from distance, a mistimed Gabriel clearance allowed Jadon Sancho to pounce and he emphatically punished the Brazilian.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1682869592237178880

2-0 behind at the break, Arteta made just one change to his XI while his opposite number made 10 with just goalkeeper Tom Heaton remaining on the field.

Arsenal came close to halving the deficit early on in the second period, but Eddie Nketiah dragged his effort wide after a smart free-kick routine. A weakened United outfit handed the Gunners greater control, but Heaton was rarely tested with Arteta eventually opting to make changes.

The Gunners never threatened to stage a late resurgence, with the Red Devils coasting to a 2-0 victory.

Man Utd 2-0 Arsenal player ratings

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from Saturday’s pre-season loss.

Timber impressed on his first Arsenal start. (Photo by LEONARDO MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Timber impressed on his first Arsenal start. (Photo by LEONARDO MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 4/10 – A parry into his own net from Fernandes’ effort followed a few errant passes and clearances. Not Ramsdale’s finest hour.

Jurrien Timber (RB) – 6.5/10 – Arguably the Gunners’ most impressive performer while he was on the pitch. Performed a central role, but sprung up high down the right to influence proceedings, too. Supreme technician.

William Saliba (CB) – 6/10 – Wasn’t his cleanest performance with the ball, but drove into space effectively and couldn’t be blamed for either goal.

Gabriel (CB) – 4/10 – The Brazilian had made a couple of timely interventions before his woeful error led to United’s second.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (LB) – 6/10 – Surprisingly didn’t invert much down the left and played a more traditional left-back role. Only played the first half after just returning from injury.

Continued on the next slide…