Manchester United thrashed Bournemouth 4-1 in the club’s second game of the Premier League Summer Series in Chicago on Thursday.
It might have been pre-season, but the result was even more impressive because it came against one of United’s bogey teams, with the Cherries beating the Red Devils 3-0 at Old Trafford in successive seasons.
The team from the South Coast are known for their aggressive pressing, but Ruben Amorim’s side looked a notch above both in and out of possession.
They hounded Bournemouth at almost every opportunity at the Soldier Field. So much so that, opposition boss Andoni Iraola gushed about United’s performance, calling them “a hell of a team”.
United looking ultra aggressive
Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu, one of the goalscorers on the night, pointed out exactly why the team is looking so much more different as compared to last season.
The 20-year-old explained that the head coach wants the team to play in a more aggressive style, be on the front foot and try and go on the attack every time.
“I think we will hopefully see a United team that is attacking more, that’s on the front foot, that’s trying to dominate every game,” Dorgu was quoted as saying by The Mirror.
“We will take the rest of the pre-season to get even better. I feel like we’re getting there, we’re playing more as a team and we’re running for each other.”
The wingback further revealed that the team as a whole have forgotten about their dismal previous campaign and want to do the best for each other, with the spirit inside the dressing room at an all-time high.
Team playing for each other
“You can see on the pitch that we’re playing as a more active team. With the press, we run more for each other, so you can see that the pre-season has helped everyone.
“I feel like everyone left last season to last season and everyone is just looking forward to the new season, so everyone is positive.
“I came in at a difficult moment last season and I think the team is improving a lot. It’s more like a collective than an individual. I feel like everyone is positive and looking forward to the season.”
Patrick Dorgu looks one of the most improved players since pre-season started, and hopefully, he can keep improving once the real action starts.
Feature image Patrick McDermott via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
