Manchester United continued their strong pre-season form with a commanding 4-1 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series in Chicago on Wednesday, making it two wins from two on their U.S. tour.
Goals from Rasmus Højlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo, and teenage substitute Ethan Williams secured the victory for Ruben Amorim’s side in wet and windy conditions at Soldier Field.
United took the lead early in the 8th minute when Dorgu curled in a precise cross from the left for Højlund, who headed past Bournemouth keeper Djordje Petrovic. Dorgu doubled the lead in the 25th minute, capitalizing on a quick free-kick from Mason Mount and slotting home coolly under pressure.
Amad Diallo added a third in the 53rd minute, before Amorim introduced nine substitutes with 20 minutes to go. Among them was 17-year-old Ethan Williams, who made an immediate impact, curling in United’s fourth just two minutes after coming on.
The only blemish on an otherwise dominant United performance came in the 88th minute, when defender Matthijs de Ligt inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.
In the day’s other Premier League friendly in Chicago, West Ham United rallied from behind to defeat Everton 2-1, spoiling former manager David Moyes’ outing. Idrissa Gueye had given Everton a 17th-minute lead, but goals from Lucas Paquetá and Niclas Füllkrug turned the match in the Hammers’ favor.
Everton, who were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth on Saturday, suffered another pre-season blow. Moyes expressed frustration at the squad’s lack of readiness, saying, “We knew before we came we were going to be really up against it… we’re not ready to start the Premier League season.”
The Premier League Summer Series concludes on Sunday in Atlanta, where Manchester United will face Everton, while West Ham take on Bournemouth in the final matches of the four-team tournament.
Written By Rodney Mbua
