Manchester United kicked off their preseason adventure in the United States with a win over West Ham to give Ruben Amorim some signs of encouragement ahead of the season
Manchester United did something they’re not very good at and scored twice against West Ham to win at the MetLife on Sunday morning.
United travelled to New Jersey from Chicago to take on the Hammers at the same venue where Chelsea hoisted the Club World Cup alongside Donald Trump not two weeks ago. And it was their captain they relied upon once again with Bruno Fernandes scoring both.
The first came from the spot after a messy Alphonse Areola catch led to Ayden Heaven being fouled. The second came just after the interval after another mistake from the Hammers keeper. Kobbie Mainoo capitalized to tee up Fernandes who produced a sublime finish.
Jarrod Bowed grabbed one back on the hour mark and had another late chance stopped by Altay Bayinder as United grabbed a rare but much-needed win.
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Amorim’s team
The starting XI: Altay Bayindir, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven, Amad, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, Patrick Dorgu, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Rasmus Hojlund.
And it stayed that way until the 65th minute. The fact this team lasted more than an hour shows you where Amorim’s head is with his preferred players. Add to the context Bryan Mbeumo wasn’t quite ready, Noussair Mazraoui was carrying a knock, and Joshua Zirkzee wasn’t in the squad, it’s clear the United boss is using pre-season to get his strongest side playing their strongest football as soon as possible. It’s a luxury he didn’t get last year.
United looked sharp, carried a zip and an energy to their play that hasn’t been seen for some time. Most pleasing for Amorim will no doubt be the positivity. There’s a long way to go but the pressing was also improved. The defence helped the midfield and the midfield helped the attack. A marked improvement.
The need for additions is still obvious but perhaps fans may get to see a little more of what Amorim wants to do.
The back three
Depending on where Amorim sees Mazraoui and Shaw, United’s back three of Yoro, De Ligt, and Heaven, is about as strong as it comes. It may well be the back three that starts against Arsenal in three weeks’ time.
De Ligt played in the anchor role at the back, mopping up scraggly chances and loose balls. And beside the Dutchman he had Yoro on the right and Heaven on the left. While not perfect, the performance of the three was solid. If a little untidy at times, it did its job in the main.
The worry for Amorim should be that this was against a pretty lifeless West Ham attack. The prospect of those three facing against Viktor Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will come as a lilttle unnerving.
While still raw the talent in Yoro is clear. He needs more time. Heaven is even younger and Bowen’s goal is a prime example that he has much to learn in anticipation and shutting down attackers.
Does the back three have potential? Yes. Is it a top four defence? No. Far from it.
What to do with Hojlund
It’s worth remembering that Hojlund is only 22 years of age. And despite his form last season there’s never a United side that should have relied upon him as their out-and-out goalscorer. That notwithstanding, it was him or Joshua Zirkzee. Zirkzee is not a striker, he’s a false nine or a 10 who, at times, had United fans licking their lips with his quick feet and link-up play.
So that leaves Hojlund. After a mere three minutes he showed his three best attributes – speed, strength and mentality. After Cunha won the ball on the edge of the box, Hojlund found himself on the break one v one with West Ham defender Max Kilman. Hojlund outmuscled him, sprinted past him and found himself with an opportunity on goal.
That’s where his weakest attribute came in – finishing. The shot was fierce and smashed off the left upright. It was a good chance he carved out for himself but he couldn’t apply the finishing touch.
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Only moments later he found himself with the ball at his feet in the penalty area. The result was a ballooned shot over the bar. It’s always a snatched shot or a power strike rather than a caressed finish for Hojlund. There’s no doubting his attitude to chase every ball down but that’s not enough.
At times last season the Dane was left frustrated by Alejandro Garnacho’s selfishness. But with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha he can expect a lot more service this time around. However, Amorim will need decide quick if the goals come from his two new signings via Zirkzee or from a hit or miss Hojlund.
Fernandes’ position
Amorim has never quite figured out where he wants to play Fernandes. In part, that’s due to him being so good the United boss probably wishes he could play him in five positions.
But Amorim did make a mistake in the Europa League final dropping Fernandes deep. Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro had established a semi-solid partnership through the previous European games. The captain replacing Ugarte left not only a hole in attack but created an inability to stop Spurs running through the midfield.
Casemiro’s age and Ugarte’s legs have left a lot to be desired and it is why United are crying out for a defensive midfielder. It is therefore interesting that Fernandes started in one of the No. 10 positions against West Ham. He was instrumental in several transitions of attack, linking up with Cunha a little better than he did with Hojlund.
His cross ultimately led to Alphonse Areola’s blunder which the penalty came from and it was of course he who slotted neatly from the penalty spot. Like usual, he had no problem bossing his teammates about but it felt a little more commanding coming from an attacking position.
And because he was further forward he was also in a position to delicately curl one past Areola for United’s second.
Mainoo’s dirty work and Ugarte’s flash
And because Fernandes was further forward it meant Kobbie Mainoo partnered Ugarte in midfield. While at times the common vulnerability of teams running through their pair did show, like when Tomas Soucek had too much room to slot in Bowen, there was plenty of promise.
Prior to kick-off Amorim declared that he has “Big plans” for Mainoo while lauding his talent. And it was on this very pitch two years ago that Mainoo’s performance against Arsenal in pre-season caught the eye. It’s fitting that he once again purred on the ball.
His silky footwork and confidence on the ball drew “Oohs” and “Aahs” from the crowd. But perhaps what Amorim will be most pleased with was his doggedness to win the ball. Mainoo raced onto Areola’s poor goalkick to intercept the ball in the second half. He quickly fed it to Fernandes who produced a sumptuous finish.
His partner, Ugarte, flattered to deceive last season but did show a side to his play not many have seen. The Uruguayan quickly won the ball back after Mainoo ran into a Claret wall. He proceeded to nutmeg one player before feeding through Amad who neatly slotted away his chance. Unfortunately for the pair it was offside.
It’s not rock solid, as Bowen’s goal showed, but it was better than last season.