COMPLETED: Man united completed their 4th signing of the summer today,5yr contract signed with option for further 12months – Announced this morning as new Man united signing
Manchester United are involved in back-to-back pre-season friendlies this weekend as they look to wrap up their preparations.
Lens were beaten on Saturday despite the French side open the scoring with Athletic Bilbao the opposition on Sunday afternoon. Old Trafford were treated to another new arrival as Rasmus Hojlund was announced to the crowd after his move.
A new striker had been a priority after the signings of Mason Mount and Andre Onana, who had a difficult home debut against Lens. Wolves are the first assignment for Erik ten Hag’s side with their transfer business potentially completed, bar some potential outgoings
Here’s the latest from Old Trafford.
Onana’s Old Trafford nightmare
The new No 1 in Manchester, Onana, had a nightmare Old Trafford debut when he was lobbed from just inside his own half against RC Lens.
The Cameroon international was appearing in front of his home fans for the first time during the pre-season clash against the French outfit, when 23 minutes in he was made to look foolish as he clawed at thin air trying to keep out Florian Sotoca’s audacious effort.
The strike from range left Onana in a heap inside the United goal and put the Ligue 1 outfit in front, which remained the case for the remainder of the first half. Erik ten Hag fired his troops up for the second half and goals from Marcus Rashford, Antony and Casemiro helped spare their goalkeeper’s blushes.
Hojlund deal complete
United have completed the signing of Hojlund from Atalanta in a deal worth £72million.
The 20-year-old has signed a five-year contract with an option of a further 12 months. Hojlund follows Mason Mount and Andre Onana through the door at Old Trafford as United boss Ten Hag takes his summer spending spree to above £150m.
Ten Hag had been searching for a new centre forward all summer, with Anthony Martial the only recognised senior striker at the club. Rashford and Jadon Sancho have slotted into the no.9 role in pre-season after Wout Weghorst returned to Burnley at the end of his six-month loan spell.
Season ticket decision defended
The club have defended their decision to go fully digital with their season tickets after being accused of alienating their older supporters.
United have made the decision to digitise their ticketing system in an attempt to simplify things, combat touts and reduce their environmental impact. For the 2023/24 campaign, fans have been asked to download their season tickets to their mobile phones, which will allow QR codes to be scanned at the turnstiles.
The move followed trials of the system during last season, including at the FA Cup final against Manchester City, at Wembley in June. It is in keeping with the prevailing trend across sports, entertainment and transport, but has angered a minority of United fans.
