Manchester United vs Bournemouth: Rasmus Hojlund Stars as Amorim Wins Again in USA
- Manchester United recorded a second consecutive win in the Premier League Summer Series in the United States
- The Red Devils put four past Bournemouth in Chicago to move one step closer to winning the cup on Sunday
- Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount were particularly impressive in a game where new signings, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, didn't feature
Education is Your Right! Don’t Let Social Norms Hold You Back. Learn Online with TUKO. Enroll Now!
Manchester United stepped up their preparations for the new season with a dominant 4-1 win over Bournemouth on Thursday morning.
Source: Getty Images
The two Premier League teams clashed at Soldier Field Stadium in Chicago as part of the Summer Series.
United came into this game on the back of a 2-1 win over West Ham United in their opening game, while Bournemouth had beaten Everton 3-0.
Ruben Amorim named a starting XI that was composed entirely of the players he had last season. Tom Heaton started and played the entire 90 minutes as Andre Onana continues to nurse a hamstring injury.
Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were the three centre-backs, with Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu providing the width on the flanks. Amad Diallo, Mason Mount, and Rasmus Hojlund were the attackers.
Why Cunha, Mbeumo missed Bournemouth game
New signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo didn't feature. Amorim had earlier indicated that the latter won't play as he continues to shake off rustiness.
"Cunha has fatigue. We need to assess all the players and we have to be careful with everyone. He’s available for the next one (against Everton on Sunday).
"Matheus felt a little bit fatigued. He was ready to play, he wanted to give everything, but we need to be careful," he said as quoted by MEN.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth match report
Hojlund showed significant signs of improvement, with masterful touches and movement. The Dane opened the scoring in the eighth minute from a Dorgu assist. He brilliantly lost Marcus Senesi to latch on to Dorgu's cross, which Djordje Petrovic could only watch.
Dorgu then scored himself after a brilliant over-the-head free kick from Mount to double United's advantage.
The weather conditions in Chicago worsened with heavy rain pounding on the field, but the game continued.
Amorim made only one change after the break, taking off Maguire and bringing on Matthijs de Ligt.
They showed no signs of taking their foot off the pedal as Diallo extended their lead to 3-0 in the 53rd minute.
Amorim made nine further changes in the 70th minute, taking off the entire squad save for Heaton in goal and De Ligt, who had come on at halftime.
New entrant Ethan Williams needed only a minute to leave his mark as he beat William Dennis in the Cherries' goal for a 4-0 lead.
Andoni Iraola's side pulled one back in the 88th minute through a De Ligt own goal, but it was a little bit too late for them to salvage anything.
Source: Getty Images
Premier League Summer Series
The win took Manchester United to six points on the log with one game remaining.
They play Everton on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where a point would be enough for them to win the preseason cup.
Bournemouth and West Ham are second with three points each, while Everton have no points.
Manchester United fixtures next season
Amorim will begin his first full season in England with one of the toughest tests when Arsenal come to visit Old Trafford.
Their first away game will be at Craven Cottage against Fulham before hosting Burnley at home. Afterwards, they will face two of last season's top four in back-to-back games.
First up will be Manchester City away in the Manchester derby before they host world champions Chelsea.
Will Manchester United sign Alexander Isak?
In a separate report, Manchester United will not sign Alexander Isak despite the highly-rated striker being available.
Isak dropped a bombshell last week when he informed Newcastle United that he wanted to leave this summer. United are one of the potential candidates to get a new number 9 this summer, but they are looking at Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins or RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
