مدير عام كرة القدم
- Hojlund sends timely reminder to Amorim
- Dorgu also shines with a goal and assist
- USMNT’s Adams makes first pre-season appearance
In a match that seemed more like Manchester than midsummer Chicago, Manchester متحد battled through rain and wind to beat Bournemouth 4-1 on Wednesday night, with Rasmus Hojlund and Patrick Dorgu starring in the pre-season win at Soldier Field.
Dorgu was impactful from the opening kick-off, starting at left wing back in a 3-4-2-1 formation, as the 20-year-old was pressing at every opportunity. He was almost immediately rewarded for his efforts as he lobbed a perfectly weighted cross that landed on Hojlund’s head. The Danish striker easily converted, putting United ahead 1-0 in the eighth minute.
Dorgu was back for more in the 25th minute, as he took advantage of a pacey counterattack and eased by Julian Araujo in a one-on-one situation to score past Cherries goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, doubling the Red Devils’ advantage. Bournemouth’s best chance came in the latter part of the first half, as Antoine Semenyo cut through United defenders to score past 39-year-old Tom Heaton. Yet, the play was called off due to a very close offside.
What started as intermittent rainfall in the first half turned into a torrential downpour in the second. The weather might have factored into some of the openness of the second half. Amad Diallo took advantage of lax defending in the box to score with a side-footed shot, padding United’s lead at 3-0.
Manchester-born Ethan Williams wrapped up the scoring for United in the 72nd minute with a brilliant strike to showcase his exciting potential. Bournemouth eventually notched a consolation effort when Matthijs de Ligt scored an own goal in injury time.
Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams made his first appearance since the USMNT’s 2-1 loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup final, joining in the 77th minute. The midfielder was serenaded with loud cheers when his name was announced in the stadium. But overall, this was a night when United easily ran proceedings.
Ruben Amorim, entering his first full season as United coach after joining midway through last campaign, will be encouraged by the dominance shown by his side. The Portuguese played most of his starters, outside of Harry Maguire, through 70 minutes, and they were effective in pressing, dominating possession, and were clinical on set pieces.
Hojlund issued the perfect response to reports of Man Utd pushing to sign a new No.9 in the form of RB Leipzig‘s Benjamin Sesko, but fellow Denmark international Dorgu was the star of the show. The pacey full-back showed why he is potentially a strong fit under Amorim as he drove United forward at every opportunity. The 20-year-old, who had just one assist in 12 الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز appearances last term, was confident throughout.
If there was anything to nitpick, none of United’s new signings featured. Mbeumo was deemed not ready to play, with Amorim hoping to give the former Brentford star a run in the club’s final Summer Series game, while Cunha was handed a rest after showing positive glimpses in United’s previous pre-season game against West Ham.
Williams who rocks the No.56, not a number for a first-team winger, showed on Wednesday why he should potentially get some more action – in low-stakes cup games at least. He was quick and precise with his finish.
Another to watch was Ayden Heaven who continued his solid pre-season despite United conceding late.
United will look to wrap up an impressive pre-season in the U.S. on Sunday when they face Everton.
