United kick off US tour with win over Gunners

Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho were on target as Manchester United beat Arsenal 2-0 in a friendly in front of 82,262 fans at MetLife Stadium.

The New York and New Jersey fans of the two Premier League clubs saw a lively first half with both goals, but the game lost its way in the second half with mass substitutions from both teams.

United's new goalkeeper Andre Onana, signed from Inter Milan on Thursday in a 44 million deal (HK$442.3 million), did not feature despite flying out to join the team's tour in the United States. Back-up Tom Heaton started in goal with Fernandes wearing the captain's armband after replacing defender Harry Maguire in that role.

Brazilian winger Antony had the first chance for United when he was found in space in the middle of the box but he scuffed his shot which rolled harmlessly wide.

Arsenal began their tour of the USA with a 5-0 win over the MLS All Stars last week and went close to an opener through Gabriel Martinelli, but Heaton produced a fine double save to deny the Brazilian.

United took the lead on the half hour mark, with Fernandes cutting in from the right and unleashing a low left-foot drive which deceived Arsenal 'keeper Aaron Ramsdale. Seven minutes later, Sancho doubled the lead when Arsenal defender Gabriel mis-kicked on the halfway line and the England forward burst away before blasting confidently home.

But after the break there was an inevitable loss of intensity.

There was an encouraging display from 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo in the center of United's midfield and Fernandes was full of praise for the academy product, saying Kobbie has "a bright future ahead."

There was an unusual situation at the end of the game with both teams having agreed to take part in a penalty shootout regardless of the result. United won the shootout 5-3.