Amorim ball was in full flow as MUFC trounced the Cherries in the second match of the Premier League Summer Series over in the States. This win put United on top of the table featuring Bournemouth, West Ham and Sunday's opponents Everton.

Amorim fielded a lineup that was not too dissimilar to the one that started the Europa League final. We all know how that went.

9 players who featured in that defeat played last night. That probably would've made a lot of people think twice about watching this match especially those having to wake up in the early hours of the morning.

There was also no Cunha in the squad with the reasoning being 'fatigue' 🤷‍♂️. Make of that what you will but no doubt disappointing to not see a new player.

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First Half

However, unlike that loss in Bilbao, this was a more intense performance from Ruben's Reds as they began pretty much like they did against the Hammers: like a house on fire. The difference was that in this game, the chances were actually taken.

Hojlund hit the post inside a minute last time out in New Jersey but in Chicago, buried his chance after a good cross from fellow Dane Dorgu. A header after 8 minutes set United on their way.

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This was a great way to begin the match as we've complained too often about slow starts by United over the past season. We know that with this set of players, when things don't go their way, they crumble, which is why these fast starts are paramount.

Dorgu got the assist for the opener then scored one of his own on the 25th minute mark, his first for the club. This early goal and assist resulted in the 20 year old having a man of the match performance as he exemplified exactly what you want to see from a player: good on the ball, strong defensively and being influential in attack.

Bournemouth did have their chances but United managed to keep them at bay even if they did hit the bar.

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Second Half

The second period began much as the fast with an early goal (53rd minute), this time by Amad after a bit of a melee in the box in the pouring rain at Soldier Field. The second game in a row where the second period began as well as the first. 3-0 before the hour mark.

Amorim then rang the changes after 70 minutes as he changed all but Heaton in goal. Maguire went off at halftime. This was his first start of the US tour and probably isn't fit enough to play longer just yet.

A fourth goal was then added by youngster Ethan Williams after he was assisted (😅) by fellow youngster and new boy Diego Leon - please go and view Ugarte's Instagram story of this 'assist' 🤣.

De Ligt scored at the wrong end late on to give a somewhat flat Cherries something to cheer about.

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Verdict on Amorim

What United's boss would've been happy with was that intensity from minute 1, the improvement in the overall team performance, as well as some individuals. Hojlund was in need of a goal; it's good to see youngsters being involved in attacks; and a lot of players had a good amount of minutes in the tank.

“Really, pleased. I think the intensity was there. They are so focused in the games" - Ruben Amorim on his side's performance.

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This was a game that displayed more of an understanding from the players of the system and what the manager wants. Not an amazing, perfect showing but was much better than the win over West Ham. United have also improved upon each performance so far this pre-season which indicates some progression. If they do so again on Sunday, then we should see something that is closer to resembling what Amorim truly wishes to see from his team.

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Just a word on Dorgu.

He was a standout. An assist and goal (his first for United), and an all-round good performance. This is a player who came into the worst United side most of us have ever seen. Joining in January, it was never going to be easy for him. The team was all over the place, Amorim was only a couple months into the job, everything was fresh and he was relied upon to play pretty much every game, which he did, both on the left and right.

He began very shakily but that was to be expected with a young defender coming from Lecce. It was not going to be easy for him to embed into this out-of-sorts team which made things even harder.

But what was unexpected was the amount of criticism he received. It seemed as if people expected him to be the next Roberto Carlos right from the start. Of course his early performances were frustrating but that is what you are going to get with young players.

That criticism was unnecessarily harsh.

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"He looks more and more like he belongs in Manchester United, and that is hard to do it [at] 20 years old, but he's so powerful, he's getting his technique in his game, he's defending so well, he's pressing so well. So I’m really impressed with Patrick" - Ruben Amorim impressed with Patrick Dorgu's performance.

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We are supposed to be a lot more welcoming to new players especially youngsters and forgive me for repeating the same things but that is just to emphasize how tough it would've been for him and how this criticism towards Dorgu was unfair.

Over time though, I believed he's slowly improved and I can see parts of his game that are more refined now than they were at the start. I used to be particularly annoyed with his ability in the final third. With this performance, that indicated this improvement I'm talking about.

A wonderful cross with his weaker right-foot that gave Rasmus the easiest of headers to make it 1-0, and then he scored himself after making a good run.

It might only be one performance in one pre-season game but it can go a long way for a player like him. It also helps us into seeing what he's capable of and how impatient fans were with him.

We need to give these youngsters a chance.

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Final Thoughts

I know it was only pre-season, but this is where it starts. This is where we start to see things come to fruition, or not. We'd rather see these type of performances than what we saw against Leeds.

It also seems to be 'only pre-season' when we win and play well. When we draw or lose and perform badly, then it's 'Amorim out' and people have their reservations for the upcoming campaign.

It can't be either or depending on the match.

Pre-season needs to be taken seriously and Dorgu in one player, shows just how to do that.

Games like these also make us feel a lot better moving forward and gives us more confidence heading into 25/26. Lets see if we can improve even more against Everton on Sunday.

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Man Utd beat Bournemouth 4-1 to go top of Premier League Summer Series | Creator: Patrick McDermott | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2025 Getty Images via Goal