Manchester United pay the price for overlooking coaching role change in Arsenal defeat

All it took was 13 minutes. Rasmus Hojlund was mobile and scoring one minute and then down and out the next.

Erik ten Hag warned on Friday "it will happen" when Manchester United's injury woe was raised. It has started before the season has started. United's new number nine retired hurt within a quarter of an hour of his maiden pre-season appearance.

Before the half was over, a crestfallen Leny Yoro also hobbled off. The teenager was consoled by teammates and Ten Hag sidled over for an update. That is £130million worth of talent possibly unavailable for the remainder of pre-season and beyond.

In the otherworldly SoFi stadium, United's injury form was not a world away. United are following the gospel according to Sir Dave Brailsford's marginal gains guff of meal windows, sleep windows and exposure to natural light. They need to flick another switch.

For all the coaching changes at United, there is a glaring omission: a new fitness coach. United still have the same one who was promoted by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer five years ago, when United promised to have their fittest squad ever. Before the end of August, Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba were sidelined through injury.

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The flies have begun dropping quicker this season after the 66 cases recorded last season. United's top four chances effectively ended with Hojlund's late February injury and they at least have a specialist striker to turn to in Joshua Zirkzee. The new £36.5m signing is yet to rendezvous with his teammates but is handily holidaying in Los Angeles.

How galling for Hojlund, back among the goals after a barren European