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.
