Bruno Fernandes scored twice as Manchester United grabbed their first win of pre-season with a 2-1 victory over West Ham in the Summer Series.
The game was played at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey – where, in just under a year, the World Cup final will be held – and the two underachievers from last season played out a friendly with a competitive feel.
Who played for Man Utd?
Man Utd starting XI: Bayindir, Yoro, De Ligt, Heaven, Amad, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dorgu, Fernandes, Cunha, Hojlund.
Man Utd XI after 65 minutes: Bayindir, Shaw, Fredericson, Maguire, Leon, Dalot, Fletcher, Casemiro, Collyer, Mount, Obi
United put in a first-half performance that Ruben Amorim described as “completely different from last season”, when speaking to MUTV.
His side hit the post through Rasmus Hojlund inside two minutes but didn’t have to wait long for the opener from the penalty spot after Alphonse Areola fumbled a cross and then fouled Ayden Heaven inside the area. That allowed Fernandes to slot home from 12 yards.
West Ham really struggled to play through the Manchester United press with Patrick Dorgu and Hojlund doing some excellent work out of possession, although Hojlund’s finishing again let him down on 18 minutes when dragging a shot wide.
Who played for West Ham?
West Ham starting XI: Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd; Diouf, Guido Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Bowen, Fullkrug
It was left to Fernandes again to find the quality to make a difference as he doubled the lead just after the break. Again, it was a high press from United that did the damage – this time Kobbie Mainoo taking advantage of a slack Areola pass which allowed Fernandes the opportunity to curl one home from 20 yards in typically assured fashion.
Amorim waited until 65 minutes to completely change his starting XI with the likes of Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Mason Mount given time to impress off the bench. New signing Bryan Mbeumo was expected to make his first appearance for the club, but although the 25-year-old arrived at the MetLife Stadium with the rest of the United team he wasn’t deemed fit enough to make the squad.
Those changes did disrupt United’s flow, and the Hammers hit back when Jarrod Bowen rifled home a majestic finish from the angle – but it ended up being just a consolation.
Fernandes: Cunha has settled quickly
Bruno Fernandes speaking to Sky Sports:
“I felt good. Training has been very good. We have been doing very well. It’s good to win the game, even it being a friendly and to go into the season in a positive way.
“Overall the game was good. We was good on the ball. In some moments we could have kept possession for longer as the manager was asking – we rushed a bit in the final third when trying to score our goals. We will work on that.”
On Cunha: “The Brazilians are very loud, very happy. He’s a very funny guy and has settled very quickly with everyone. That’s good as we need to him to connect with every player and get the best out of him.”
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Highlights from the Premier League Summer Series fixture between Everton and Bournemouth.
Amorim: Bruno will have more help this season
Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim:
Image: Ruben Amorim heaped praise on Bruno Fernandes following his performance against West Ham
On Bruno Fernandes during his press conference: “Now he has more players, I feel, to help him to lead the group and that is a good thing. He is our leader and really important, not just on the field, but off the field. He leads by example. He works really hard, is always available and, sometimes, he plays with pain. Sometimes, the problem is he gets frustrated and loses a little bit of focus of his job. Sometimes, he wants to help his teammates so much, it is not the best thing to do.
“Last year, I felt sometimes I pushed him back to have more possession in the build-up and we miss Bruno near the box. With different characteristics from Bryan [Mbeumo] and Matheus Cunha, and I really like Kobbie Mainoo’s game, he will have more help this season.
“Bruno runs a lot, maybe in the sprints he is a different player but he runs a lot. He has a lot of endurance and he is smart. It’s not about that. Physicality with Bruno is not a concern, playing him deep or as an attacking midfielder.”
On whether he’s made a decision on his team for opening PL fixture vs Arsenal: “It was a strong team and we need to prepare all the players, and we don’t have a lot of weeks or a lot of games to prepare all the team.
“That can change, you saw in the second half, there are players who can play in the first game. It’s not a decision I made already.”
Premier League Summer Series fixtures and schedule
Saturday July 26 – MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
Everton 0-3 Bournemouth
Man Utd 2-1 West Ham
Sunday July 27 – MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
Manchester United vs West Ham – 12am kick-off, live on Sky Sports
Wednesday July 30 – Soldier Field, Chicago
West Ham vs Everton – 11.30pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports
Thursday July 31 – Soldier Field, Chicago
Manchester United vs Bournemouth – 2.30am kick-off, live on Sky Sports
Sunday August 3 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaBournemouth vs West Ham – 7pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports
Manchester United vs Everton – 10pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports
