Manchester United clinched a 2-1 win over West Ham United in the first match in their pre-season tour of the US.
In the first match of their Premier League Summer Series campaign, Man United were looking to get off to a winning start, going toe-to-toe with the Hammers in the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Manager Ruben Amorim’s lineup certainly didn’t disappoint, clearly dominating proceedings throughout the match and instilling confidence in United fans thanks to their convincing performnace.
First Half
Less than a minute in, the match burst to life when United launched a counter-attack from deep within their own half. Rasmus Hojlund received a through ball, beating his marker and going one-on-one with the goalkeeper, only to slam his effort into the upright and out for a goal kick. A hugely promising start to the match from United.
Three minutes in, Patrick Dorgu was making inroads on the left flank before being fouled to hand United a free-kick in an advanced position.
Bruno Fernandes thumped a lethal cross into the box, which goalkeeper Alphonse Areola failed to keep a hand on. The ball bounced out to Ayden Heaven, who the keeper brought down to hand a penalty to United.
Fernandes made no mistake, sauntering up to the ball and sending it cooly into the bottom left corner while Areola dived the wrong way.
While West Ham tried to launch a quick attack soon after kick-off, Altay Bayindir was on high alert, punching the threatening cross out of the penalty box.
In the 18th minute, Matheus Cunha came close to doubling United’s lead when he let rip a threatening shot from long range, only for the keeper to catch the ball.
Half an hour in, United exhibited some slick passing around the box, with Cunha, Fernandes, Amad Diallo, and Leny Yoro showing some nice link-up play. The move ended in a Fernandes’ shot, which floated over the crossbar.
A minute later, Yoro was booked for taking the ball away when West Ham seemed to be awarded a throw-in. Then, it turned out that the ball was United’s, meaning that his yellow card seemed highly unnecessary.
In the 35th minute, United were in West Ham’s box again, with Cunha taking a close-range effort that was deflected out for a corner. Fernandes’ cross found Yoro, whose header veered wide of the far post. United came agonisingly close to doubling their lead.
Moments later, Manuel Ugarte collected the ball in the final third, threading a through ball to Amad on the right. The youngster made no mistake as he thumped the ball into the back of the net, only for the offside flag to be raised.
Five minutes before the break, West Ham were on a sporadic counter, only for Matthijs de Ligt to make an impressive clearance.
On the stroke of half-time, Fernandes delivered a free kick on the left of the box. He cut the ball back to Amad, who was waiting on the edge of the box. Amad’s shot was hard and low, only to be blocked as it sailed goalward. 1-0, the score remained as the referee blew the whistle for half time.
Second Half
In an unconventional move, United manager Ruben Amorim sent an unchanged lineup onto the pitch to start the second half.
Three minutes in, Fernandes received a through ball from Hojlund, putting him through on goal. Despite composing himself, the United skipper’s shot was palmed off by the keeper. The subsequent corner was threatening, with De Ligt heading the ball goalward only for Areola to parry the incoming shot.
A second goal seemed to be within United’s reach as they continuously pressured the opposition’s defence.
Barely a minute later, that second goal was clinched by none other than Fernandes. The Portuguese playmaker chipped a scintillating shot toward the far post, catching the keeper completely off guard. It was a well-deserved goal for Fernandes.
In the 63rd minute, against the run of play, West Ham pulled a goal back. Jarrod Bowen received the ball on the edge of the box, outrunning Heaven to slot the ball past the keeper to narrow the deficit.
It was a poor lapse in concentration from United, who had been firmly in the driving seat up until that moment.
Right after the mishap, Amorim replaced all of his outfield players with a fresh lineup.
While Mason Mount and Diego Leon exhibited some decent link-up play down the left flank, the new lineup struggled to show the attacking intensity of their teammates.
Three minutes into five minutes of stoppage time, Bowen took a thunderous shot that Bayindir did well to parry. The United keeper then made an impressive catch to close down a threatening cross from the subsequent corner.
While a subdued performance by the substitutes, their efforts proved to be enough as United held on for a comfortable win, having largely dominated proceedings from start to finish.
This victory was a welcome sign of United’s progress on the training pitch, instilling excitement as fans look forward to their club’s next match in the Premier League Summer Series.
Starting XI: Bayindir, De Ligt, Fernandes, Hojlund, Cunha, Dorgu, Yoro, Amad, Ugarte, Heaven, Mainoo
Subs: Fredericson, Maguire, Shaw, Dalot, Leon, Fletcher, Collyer, Casemiro, Mount, Obi
Featured image Vincent Carchietta via Getty Images
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Mathew Cohen
A faithful Manchester United supporter, Mathew has worked as a football writer and analyst for SB Nation, FanSided, and now The Peoples Person. Mathew’s heroes include David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson, all of whom played their part in creating some special childhood memories.
