£64m star is Man United’s biggest winner vs West Ham, academy wonderkid is one of only two losers

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Manchester United kicked off their pre-season tour of the United States with a 2-1 win over Premier League opponents West Ham.

The first pre-season friendly of the summer saw Manchester United draw 0-0 with Leeds United in Stockholm, but the intensity of training leveled up once Ruben Amorim’s side travelled Stateside.

The Red Devils are participating in the Premier League Summer Series in pre-season, and the first of three fixtures was against West Ham in New Jersey.

New signing Bryan Mbeumo was missing from the squad after not having much time to get up to pace with his new teammates. However, a brace from Bruno Fernandes quickly helped United fans get over his absence.

Winners

Rasmus Hojlund

With United’s search for a new striker grinding to a halt, there is huge pressure on Rasmus Hojlund to step up and he did just that against the Hammers.

Named in the starting lineup in a front three alongside Fernandes and Matheus Cunha, Hojlund was sharp from the very first minute when he burst in behind and hit the post.

The £64m star’s link-up play looks as though it has improved, and his energetic running had a huge impact in breaking down United’s Premier League opponents. A much more promising display.

Whether it’s enough to convince Amorim not to buy a striker, we are yet to see.

Bruno Fernandes

United’s captain ran the show, and it’s not the first time fans have heard that.

Fernandes kicked off the scoring from the penalty spot and then doubled his tally in the second half with an incredibly neat finish.

There has been plenty of talk about where Fernandes fits in Amorim’s system, but the truth is he is United’s best player regardless of where he plays. With better players around him, his game will only get better and better.

Kobbie Mainoo

Like Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo is another star who hasn’t quite found his spot in Amorim’s system so far.

Before kick-off, Amorim explained his plan for Mainoo, and the academy graduate started in central midfield against West Ham alongside Manuel Ugarte.

Mainoo has already impressed in training and he put on a wonderful midfield performance against the Hammers. It is known that Amorim wants an athletic midfielder, and he could yet find it in Mainoo.

Ruben Amorim

There have been huge question marks over Amorim’s future, especially during a summer which has been somewhat frustrating for fans.

Last season was nowhere near good enough but the Portuguese head coach has been the first to admit that. In particular, Amorim struggled against Premier League sides, and his tactics and formation have been constantly questioned.

It may only be a pre-season friendly, but there was plenty to like about how Amorim set his side up to face West Ham. United played with energy and intensity, and there were clear patterns of play that will please Amorim.

Matheus Cunha

While new signing Mbeumo was not named in the squad, United’s £62.5m arrival Cunha made his second start of pre-season.

The Brazilian kept his spot as a No.10 and once again he impressed with his ball carrying and creativity in the final third.

Amorim has been impressed by Cunha and how he has started at the club following his summer move, and his performance against West Ham suggests he has already settled into the side well.

Losers

Joshua Zirkzee

One of the only surprises from the first pre-season friendly was the absence of Zirkzee, who missed out against Leeds because of injury.

Zirkzee has been tipped to impress in pre-season, but once again he was left out against West Ham.

The Dutch forward will be eager to impress, but it seems he is already a few weeks behind where his teammates are at in their preparations for the new season.

The arrival of Cunha and Mbeumo will push him down the pecking order for a No.10 spot, while Hojlund seems to have kept his spot up top.

Sekou Kone

Another player who will be very disappointed to miss out on minutes.

Sekou Kone has caught the eye in training, and the 19-year-old midfielder was tipped to be a breakthrough star in pre-season.

However, he was left on the bench against West Ham. It seems Kone will stay in Amorim’s squad this season rather than go out on loan, but he will be itching for a chance to impress.