It is two wins in two for Man United on their pre-season tour after they thrashed Bournemouth 4-1 in Chicago.
Samuel joined the Manchester Evening News in 2014 and is the Chief Manchester United writer. He has broken exclusives on Jose Mourinho’s appointment, the re-signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking, the club’s interest in Ralf Rangnick and Erik ten Hag, as well as numerous other transfers and team news. He has represented the MEN on the BBC, Sky News, Sky Sports News, TalkSport, Radio 5 Live, CNN and various other media outlets worldwide.
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Bruno Fernandes had another good game vs Bournemouth
With Manchester United in discussions for a new No.9, the incumbent got two goals against Bournemouth. Rasmus Hojlund charged around like a bull in Chicago.
Hojlund’s deft header in the eighth minute was smart striker play he is not synonymous with. Bournemouth were seemingly thrown by Patrick Dorgu crossing with his right foot and crossing well. Hojlund neatly helped the ball on its way.
As meaninglessly as these games are judged, they have to be meaningful for the players. That was apparent with Hojlund’s celebration, identical to when he equalised at Bournemouth in added time in late April.
His evening did not start auspiciously. He kept his place but his mood was not improved by a recall for Diogo Dalot, fast becoming Hojlund’s scourge. Hojlund was demonstrative with Dalot with less than four minutes on the clock, piqued that he had not read his heavy lay-off. Dalot nevertheless congratulated his teammate on his goal.
In the 51st minute, there was a bullish high-ten from Dalot for Hojlund after he was crudely fouled. Hojlund got a similar amount of contact for his second goal yet was not immediately enveloped by his teammates. Amad’s shot grazed Hojlund’s shin and both claimed the glory. As it stands, it is credited to Amad.
While United are in dialogue with RB Leipzig goalscorer Benjamin Sesko, Hojlund has to view his own situation as win-win. No Sesko means he continues at the tip of the arrow. If Sesko comes in, Hojlund can create a wider market for himself. Inter Milan enquired about his availability at the start of the transfer window.
There was a Danish theme to United’s win, with Dorgu notching his first senior goal for the club. Dorgu has been quietly effective and more attack-minded across all three friendlies. A left back by trade, Dorgu is developing into the pure winger that Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system demands of the wide roles.
New Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic was flimsy for Dorgu’s dink though it was a smartly-worked goal, instigated by Mason Mount’s quick-thinking with a quickly-taken free kick. Dorgu invited it with his sudden charge into the final third.
United look fitter than at this stage in past pre-seasons. Every starter bar Harry Maguire, withdrawn at the interval, played for 70 minutes. Maguire’s replacement, Matthijs de Ligt, put through his own net late on.
The Premier League opposition in this Summer Series appears to have reinforced United’s focus. West Ham and Bournemouth both beat United last season. The intensity and edge about United was best exhibited by Bruno Fernandes.
He sprinted back to block a cross before berating the referee for awarding a corner. Teammates were quick to congratulate Fernandes, unrelenting in his criticism of official Lewis Smith. That was in the 69th minute and marked his final contribution.
Amorim downplayed the strength of the United side against West Ham last week and there were six changes in the Windy City. United still have the wind in their sails, with two wins out of two in the States.
This handsome friendly win was replete with an academy goal from a newbie. Ethan Williams, one of ten substitutes to emerge, scored within two minutes of his first senior appearance. Williams, a winger, has inherited Chido Obi’s old squad number and his finish was akin to a striker’s.
United were without both of their senior summer recruits as Matheus Cunha sat out the game due to fatigue. He is expected to be fit for the final tour match against Everton on Sunday in Atlanta, where Bryan Mbeumo is scheduled to appear, most likely from the bench.
The main dampener on United’s pre-season on Wednesday evening was the Chicago weather. There were more ponchos than replica shirts at Soldier Field and the United players’ red replicas were so saturated from the swirling rain they turned blood red.
Luke Shaw was one of the six players recalled, slotting in on the left of the back three. He does not have the durability to be entrusted with the left wing role and he may be at the back of the queue at centre back when Lisandro Martinez ends his rehabilitation.
Amorim generously dubbed Shaw “world class” last week. “He understands the problems I had last season were really tough,” Shaw said on Tuesday. “It’s something I’ve not experienced, to be honest. I know I’ve had a lot of injuries, but it was more mentally how tough it was. It was really tough. I think last season was one to forget really. Like I said, I’ve had injuries in the past, but last season it was different kinds of injuries.
“It was horrible. To be fair, it started with a calf and I’ve never had a calf injury in my life, so I was never used to that. It was just a completely different rehab and stuff. Things just kept happening. It was really stressful.”
Shaw was anything but with a couple of well-read recovery tackles. He required treatment from the physio following an impact injury but soldiered on at Soldier Field.
So is Hojlund.