Chicago, USA – Manchester United extended their perfect start to the Premier League Summer Series pre-season tournament, securing a dominant 4-1 victory over Bournemouth in Chicago on Wednesday. Goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo, and teenager Ethan Williams sealed an encouraging result for Ruben Amorim’s side at a rainy, windswept Soldier Field.
United, who had opened their tour with a 2-1 victory over West Ham on Saturday, were always in control against the Cherries. Danish international Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring early, netting in the eighth minute after connecting with a superb curled cross from compatriot Patrick Dorgu, timing his run and jump to perfection to glance a header past Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
Dorgu then turned goalscorer himself, doubling United’s lead in the 25th minute. He latched onto a clever, lofted quick free-kick from Mason Mount, muscled his way into the area, and slid a cool finish beneath the advancing Petrovic.
Amad Diallo bundled in United’s third goal in the 53rd minute, further solidifying their advantage. Amorim then made nine changes with 20 minutes remaining, introducing a host of fresh legs. Substitute Ethan Williams wasted no time making an impact, curling a low finish into the bottom corner just two minutes after coming on to put United 4-0 up.
The only blemish on United’s otherwise commanding performance came in the 88th minute, when Matthijs de Ligt unfortunately scored an own goal.
West Ham Overcome Everton in Other Chicago Friendly
Elsewhere in Chicago, West Ham United mounted a comeback to defeat former manager David Moyes’s Everton 2-1 in the day’s other Premier League friendly. Idrissa Gueye initially put Everton ahead after 17 minutes, but Brazilian international Lucas Paqueta equalised for the Hammers just before half-time. Germany international Niclas Fullkrug then sealed West Ham’s victory with a 64th-minute strike.
The defeat compounded a disappointing pre-season for Everton, who had previously suffered a sound 3-0 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday. A visibly frustrated David Moyes minced no words post-match, stating, “I’m not overly concerned because I don’t have the players which I need and what I want.” He added, “We knew before we came [to the US] we were going to be really up against it. So, it was never going to be us coming here and winning. At the moment, we’re not ready to perform well enough in this tournament, and we’re not ready to start the Premier League season.”
The four-team competition concludes in Atlanta on Sunday. Manchester United will look to maintain their perfect record when they face Everton, while West Ham United will take on Bournemouth.
