Manchester United’s pre-season tour continued in the early hours of Sunday morning at MetLife against West Ham.
Ruben Amorim will be encouraged as the side make their way back to Chicago this weekend as he watched a much improved performance from his Red Devils.
After Manchester United drew 0-0 with Leeds, the first game of the US tour was a big improvement as the Red Devils.
United were pressing really well and when the ball was won, attacking movements were quick and decisive.
Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring from the penalty spot early in the second-half. The club captain also scored a second from outside the box in the second hald.
Jarrod Bowen pulled one back with an excellent finish, but it was ultimately just a consolation as United won 2-1.
Here are the five things we learned.
Bruno Fernandes continues to be Ruben Amorim’s main man
With the business being done this summer, United would have hoped that a reliance on Fernandes would dissipate, but this wasn’t the case as he starred against West Ham.
Fernandes scored both goals despite not play at his sparkling best, which is a quality he has always had for Manchester United.
Fernandes looks a lot more dangerous further up the pitch and Amorim needs to find a way to get the best from him, perhaps a 3-4-1-2.
But for now he is the main man.
Manuel Ugarte might have answered Ruben Amorim’s midfield dilemma
Much has been made of Manuel Ugarte at Manchester United, but against West Ham he rebuked a lot of the questions floating around him.
Ugarte was excellent in and out of possession, showcasing the qualities Ruben Amorim demanded last week after drawing with Leeds.
The Uruguayan was quick at winning back the ball and quicker to carry the ball forwards and complete a pass to his teammates.
Matheus Cunha will be a major threat for Manchester United
Matheus Cunha now has two unofficial appearances for United and both have been very impressive and glimpses of the bright future he has at the club.
The Brazilian is a level above his teammates in his thinking and ability which sees his end product not quite coming good right now.
Cunha however will be a huge threat when he can begin finding his passes and his teammates understand his brilliance and where to be. Work to do, but early signs are that Cunha is going to be a star.
Patrick Dorgu stepping up for Manchester United
The biggest success of pre-season thus far for United has been Patrick Dorgu as the Danish wing-back has been very impressive.
Dorgu’s explosiveness and directness on the ball is becoming a big threat for United in attack and the scary part for opponents is that he will only be getting better.
The 20-year-old won the ball back with his pressing and speed to set up Fernandes for the goal which ultimately proved to be the winner.
Dorgu will be one of the club’s top players in the 2025/26 season.
Ruben Amorim finally has an identity at Manchester United
For the first six months of his reign, Amorim asked for time and explained that he needed time on the training pitch, and it turns out that he was spot on.
United looked so much more comfortable, polished and aware of what their roles were in this game and it paid off with United’s starting line-up dominating for practically the entire 65 minutes they played.
This is long overdue, but finally there are signs that Amorim’s system is getting there… roll on next week against Bournemouth.
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