The highly-anticipated match between Manchester United and Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles drew a star-studded crowd, including Justin Bieber, former One Direction star Niall Horan, boxer Chris Eubank Jnr, and Cruz Beckham.
The state-of-the-art stadium, which has a seating capacity of 70,000, was built by Arsenal and LA Rams owner Stan Kroenke and has been hosting a series of high-profile matches.
Hollywood star Gary Oldman is also expected to visit United’s training camp at UCLA during their stay in California, following in the footsteps of Julia Roberts who has been known to drop by in previous years.
Justin Bieber was in the stands for Manchester United’s clash with Arsenal at the SoFi stadium
Bieber poses for a picture with Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard after the Gunners’ win
Bieber was one of a number of stars that were in the stands for the match, and was seen taking photos with (L-R) Ben White, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard and Odegaard
Onana’s Mind Games
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana indulged in some mind games with the Arsenal players during a penalty shootout after Saturday’s match in Los Angeles.
Despite the result, both teams decided to have a shootout, and Onana pointed to the exact area of the goal where he thought Arsenal’s players would aim, making a great save from Kai Havertz before Jakub Kiwior missed.
Defender Gabriel took exception to Onana’s antics, loitering after converting his penalty to confront the United keeper. Jadon Sancho scored the decisive penalty to give United some consolation.
Explaining the reason for the shootout, United boss Erik ten Hag said, ‘It’s important. As we know with all the cup competitions we are in, penalties can be important. I think Andre made two good saves, so it is therefore important to always have a goalkeeper who is good in penalty shootouts. He proved it once again and I think the penalties, except one, they were all good.’
Andre Onana was happy to indulge in some shoot-out mind games against Arsenal on Saturday night
Gabriel Magalhaes took exception to Onana’s antics as he loitered after converting his penalty to confront the United keeper
So Far to Leave SoFi
The SoFi Stadium might be an incredible venue, but finding your way out of it is easier said than done.
After covering Saturday’s game and going down to the mixed zone to see what the players had to say, the English media took nearly half an hour locating the exit. It was another half an hour before they could get a taxi to take them from Inglewood to the Marina del Rey part of town where the majority of the UK press corps are staying out here.
Berrada Appears at Fan Party
New United chief executive Omar Berrada made an appearance at Hollywood Park, close to the SoFi Stadium, for a countdown to kick-off party attended by 2,000 fans.
Berrada, who started work earlier this month after being on gardening leave at Manchester City, joined other members of the club’s leadership team at the event hosted by COSM.
Thousands of fans have turned out for events organised by the club in the first few days of United’s pre-season tour. The stands were packed for open training at UCLA on Friday, and many more were in attendance for a Q&A session with former players Andy Cole, Denis Irwin and Wes Brown at the LA supporters’ club.
Omar Berrada made an appearance at a fan party at Hollywood Park for a countdown to kick-off party
Players Get Together for Alex
It was a lovely touch from the United players who brought disabled supporter Alex Nield onto the pitch for photos after Casemiro spotted him in the stands at Friday’s open training session.
Alex, who goes to the majority of United’s games with his dad John and is familiar to the United players, went onto the field at UCLA where he was greeted by the rest of the squad.
United players brought disabled supporter Alex Nield onto the pitch for photos after Casemiro spotted him in the stands at an open training session on Friday
Alex poses for a picture with the whole squad and manager Erik ten Hag on the training field
Alex goes to the majority of United’s games with his dad John and is familiar to the United players
Hughes on Hand for Utd Kids
United’s lead academy coach Dave Hughes has joined the tour to support the large number of young players in United’s squad.
Erik ten Hag has used the three pre-season games so far against Rosenborg, Rangers and Arsenal to play youngsters in the second half, and a squad of academy players is expected to face Real Betis in San Diego on Wednesday.
Given the large number of academy players on the trip, United thought another coach was needed to help the youngsters integrate into the senior squad, and Travis Binnion – the club’s head of player development and coaching – and first-team coach Darren Fletcher nominated Hughes, a former Aston Villa and Cardiff City player who joined United’s academy in 2022.