Manchester United’s match against Arsenal in Los Angeles attracted some big names to SoFi Stadium.
Justin Bieber was in the audience, along with former One Direction star Niall Horan, boxer Chris Eubank Jnr and Cruz Beckham. Rumours that Natalie Portman was in attendance turned out to be unfounded.
The stunning 70,000-seat stadium, which opened in September 2020, was built by Arsenal and LA Rams owner Stan Kroenke.
Confidential reported earlier this week that Hollywood star Gary Oldman is expected to visit United’s training camp at UCLA during their stay here.
During United’s previous tours in California, Julia Roberts also dropped by to say hello.
Justin Bieber was in the stands at the match between Manchester United and Arsenal at SoFi Stadium
Bieber poses for a photo with Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard after the Gunners’ victory
Bieber was among the stars in the stands for the match and was seen taking pictures with (L-R) Ben White, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard and Odegaard
Onana’s brain games
Andre Onana enjoyed putting the Arsenal players through some mind games during a pre-arranged penalty shootout after Saturday’s match in Los Angeles.
Regardless of the outcome, both clubs decided to hold a shoot-out, lining up after Arsenal won 2-1 in California.
United goalkeeper Onana decided to point to the exact area of the goal he thought Arsenal’s players would aim for. It seemed to work as he made a great save from Kai Havertz’s shot, but Jakub Kiwior missed the ball.
Defender Gabriel took offence at Onana’s antics when he hung around to confront the United keeper after converting his penalty. Jadon Sancho scored the decisive penalty to give United some consolation.
Explaining the reason for the shoot-out, United manager Erik ten Hag said: ‘It’s important. As we know with all the cup competitions we’re in, penalties can be important. I think Andre made two good saves, so it’s important to always have a keeper who’s good on penalties. He proved it again and I think the penalties, bar one, were all good.’
Andre Onana was happy to indulge in some shoot-out mind games against Arsenal on Saturday night
Gabriel Magalhaes took offence at Onana’s antics when he hung around to confront the United keeper after converting his penalty
So far to leave SoFi
SoFi Stadium may be a fantastic location, but finding your way out is easier said than done.
After covering Saturday’s game and heading to the mixed zone to hear what the players had to say, it took almost half an hour for the English media to find the exit. It took another half hour before they could get a taxi to take them from Inglewood to the Marina del Rey part of town, where most of the British press here stay.
Berrada appears at fan party
United’s new CEO Omar Berrada showed up at Hollywood Park, near SoFi Stadium, for a countdown party attended by 2,000 fans.
Berrada, who returned to work earlier this month after gardening leave at Manchester City, was in attendance at the event, which was organised by COSM, along with other members of the club’s leadership team.
Thousands of fans turned out for events the club hosted in the first few days of United’s pre-season tour. The stands were packed for the open practice at UCLA on Friday, and many more turned out for a Q&A session with former players Andy Cole, Denis Irwin and Wes Brown at the LA supporters’ club.
Omar Berrada appeared at a fan party in Hollywood Park for a countdown to the opening night party
Players gather for Alex
A nice gesture from the United players, who took disabled supporter Alex Nield onto the pitch for photos after Casemiro spotted him in the stands during public training on Friday.
Alex, who attends most of United’s games with his father John and knows the United players well, walked onto the UCLA field where he was greeted by the rest of the squad.
United players took disabled supporter Alex Nield onto the pitch for photographs after Casemiro spotted him in the stands during an open training session on Friday
Alex poses for a photo with the entire selection and manager Erik ten Hag on the training field
Alex goes to most United games with his father John and is familiar with the United players
Hughes on hand for Utd kids
United’s head coach of the youth academy, Dave Hughes, has joined the tour to support the large number of young players in the squad.
Erik ten Hag has used the three friendlies so far against Rosenborg, Rangers and Arsenal to field young players in the second half. A selection of youth players is expected to play Real Betis in San Diego on Wednesday.
Given the large number of youth players joining, United felt an additional coach was needed to help integrate the young players into the first-team squad. The club’s head of player development and coaching, Travis Binnion, and first-team coach Darren Fletcher nominated Hughes, a former Aston Villa and Cardiff City player who joined United’s academy in 2022.