Man United 3 Real Betis 2: Amad dazzles but will Yoro injury mean ...

Manchester United came from behind to beat Real Betis at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, but injury concerns marred the performance again.

Marcus Rashford and Antony were forced off, four days after Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund sustained foot and hamstring issues to rule them out of the opening Premier League game.

Rashford had scored from the spot, with Amad firing in and Casemiro adding another to allow United to celebrate with their fans in the stands. But Erik ten Hag will be desperate to avoid further medical headaches.

The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell analyses the talking points.

In Manchester United’s first friendly of this United States tour against Arsenal, Yoro looked crestfallen when he crouched on the turf in a way that suggested he knew the severity of the problem.

At 1.50am UK time, United confirmed the news that had been feared, estimating Yoro would be unavailable for three months. An initial scan has shown a fracture of his fifth metatarsal. More in-depth machinery is needed to fully ascertain the situation but a prolonged recovery period is clear.

Yoro wanted to stay on tour rather than return to Manchester to be with his team-mates, and that has meant he is wearing a protective boot on his left foot and using crutches to get around. The sight of his slow, limping walk around the pitch’s perimeter at the SoFi Stadium strikes as even more risky in hindsight.

Recovery from metatarsal injuries is not straightforward and surgery can put the rehabilitation time as long as six months. United will only know once further tests are taken in the UK.

Yoro’s absence meant United’s defence against Real Betis had a retro feel. Harry Maguire started alongside Victor Lindelof, a partnership that first came together in August 2019 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

They equipped themselves well, only conceding when Tom Heaton inadvertently pushed the ball back to Betis winger Rodri after palming his shot. Rodri cut back for Iker Losada to score.

They both came off at half-time, replaced by 36-year-old veteran Jonny Evans and Will Fish, 21, as the only United changes, presumably because Ten Hag did not want to risk more injuries at centre-back.

Yoro’s injury will inevitably be a factor in United’s decision-making in the transfer market. Moves for Matthijs de Ligt and Jarrad Branthwaite could be reignited.

Amad had an indifferent game in Los Angeles but was the star in San Diego. He played a part in all three goals, and was central to much of United’s better interplay.

He could have had an early assist when he unselfishly teed up Jadon Sancho as both ran clear of the Betis back line following a long ball — but Sancho had moved ahead of Amad and was offside.

Amad’s trickery in the box had Betis panicking, and he was taken out from behind when Rashford’s cross was heading his way. Referee Alexis Da Silva, from MLS, waved away United appeals, but he did point to the spot when Amad was taken out during a dribble after his team had fallen behind.

Amad then scored himself, controlling a deflected cross from Harry Amass and letting rip with a blistering left-foot strike. It was similar to his goal against Newcastle United at the end of last season, both times bringing clarity to chaos through pure technique.

AMAD DIALLO GIVES UNITED THE LEAD VS. BETIS!! ???? pic.twitter.com/jshc7M8p5P

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 1, 2024

One of Amad’s inswinging corners found Rashford, who hooked the ball back to Casemiro to get United a third. He set up Scott McTominay in the second half with a purposeful run and pass.

Amad’s performance gives Ten Hag something to consider when Alejandro Garnacho is back. Garnacho made that right-wing position his own last season, but came through playing on the left. A day after saying he wanted to be a regular United starter, Amad backed up his talk.

The sight of Rashford limping as he walked straight down the tunnel following a hefty fall, momentarily pausing to take a breather with his hands on his knees, will have given Ten Hag even more angst. His foot had been trodden on by an opponent.

Later, Antony was forced off and threw his wrist wrapping to the ground.

The news that Hojlund is expected out for six weeks with a hamstring injury came just before kick-off and the United manager is running low on attacking options.

Sancho started up front instead of Hojlund, a trial that was abandoned last summer, and though new signing Joshua Zirkzee will be back for Premier League action, Ten Hag is not blessed with depth.

Rashford had been lively on the left, assisting Casemiro’s goal and showing an understanding with 17-year-old full-back Amass, but the seeds were sown on his departure when he was clattered mid-run and saw no foul given. He stayed down, with McTominay and Maguire complaining to the officials, but the same thing happened in the second half as Rashford burst into the box. Again, Da Silva saw nothing wrong, drawing boos from the crowd of 26,248 (not as far off the 35,000 capacity as expected, with United inviting local children to attend free of charge). In response, United’s medical team waited no longer to withdraw Rashford.

Marcus Rashford with a small limp walking out of the Snapdragon Stadium.#MUFC pic.twitter.com/KerovMtMcN

— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) August 1, 2024

Ten Hag was about to make his wholesale changes, so perhaps it was a case of timing. United will hope it is no more than that, and Rashford emerging for the post-game celebrations was a positive indication at least.

(Top photo: Amad celebrates after scoring his stunning goal. Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Laurie Whitwell worked for the Daily Mail from 2010, covering midlands football for the last five years, including Leicester’s remarkable Premier League triumph. Whitwell was nominated for sports scoop of the year at the 2019 SJAs for breaking Wayne Rooney’s move to DC United. He will be reporting on Manchester United for The Athletic. Follow Laurie on Twitter @lauriewhitwell