Manchester United continued their pre-season domination, with the scoreline reflecting the performance this time in their win against Bournemouth.
The 4-1 win against Bournemouth makes it two wins from two, and a goal from Ethan Williams added some academy gloss to the scoreline.
Patrick Dorgu was imperious, while Rasmus Hojlund proved his race at Man Utd is not run yet, but the biggest positive was something else entirely.
It’s a credit to Ruben Amorim, and the change is remarkable. It was crystal clear vs Bournemouth.
Man Utd’s biggest positive vs Bournemouth
United’s performance, which started on a good note against Leeds, reached a crescendo in many aspects against Bournemouth.
The team essentially did to the Cherries what they have been doing to United for the last few years, by combining pace, physicality, intensity, and pressing to overwhelm.
Many players stood out, but the biggest positive pertains to two players who didn’t play at all.
It shouldn’t fly under the radar that United managed this level of performance and victory with the same team that finished 15th last season.
Matheus Cunha was absent, while Bryan Mbeumo’s Man Utd debut is approaching, but didn’t happen vs Bournemouth.
A striker might arrive too, but, for now, this win was a vindication of Amorim’s methods, as the same players derided all of last season seem to have taken a collective jump forward after just a few weeks of pre-season.
Ruben Amorim’s addition by subtraction
This development reflects extremely well on Amorim, not just because the team looks well-drilled and motivated, but also because it vindicates his difficult decisions.
The removal of five players from pre-season who weren’t a part of his plans has been a masterstroke, as the team looks more unified than ever before.
It is a case of addition by subtraction as Amorim drew a line in the sand. Now everyone is completely behind the manager.
That spirit and bond are transferring onto performances on the pitch, as the players look driven to fight for each other without complaining.
The result is not always in their hands, but doing their best, in terms of physical output or mental output should be a non-negotiable.
It wasn’t for the longest time, but it does look like the case now.
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