Back-to-back wins and a string of sparkling performances — it’s a refreshing turn for a Manchester United side that was steeped in disappointment last season.
After enduring one of their worst Premier League campaigns, finishing in their lowest position since the league’s inception, United looked like a team lost in the dark. But ahead of the new season, coach Ruben Amorim is beginning to see signs of light.
On their U.S. pre-season tour, just three days after a win over West Ham United, Amorim’s men followed up with an even more commanding display — thrashing Bournemouth 4-1, another Premier League side.
Remarkably, United had failed to beat Bournemouth in any of their four league meetings over the past two seasons. They lost both home fixtures 3-0 and could only draw away.
But at Chicago’s Soldier Field, in a Thursday morning match (Bangladesh time), United took the lead early through a header from Rasmus Højlund. Patrick Dorgu quickly doubled the lead. In the second half, Amad Diallo and Ethan Williams added goals to seal a dominant win.
A late own goal by defender Matthijs de Ligt slightly reduced the margin.
Amorim, though, is focused less on the scoreline and more on the team’s overall performance and the growing chemistry within the squad.
“We are improving. But this is only a pre-season game. The pressure of the actual season will be very different. In my view, they are playing better (than before) and are connecting and understanding each other more — not just on the pitch, but off it as well. In my eyes, they are stronger and quicker.”
“You can see it in the performance data from every minute played. What’s most important is that the players themselves understand they are capable of playing differently with the same group of individuals.”
After finishing 15th last season — their worst ever Premier League result — United are desperate to leave that frustration behind and charge toward success.
They’ll play one more match on their U.S. tour, facing Everton this coming Sunday.
