Chicago, Illinois – Manchester United continued their pre-season preparations with a commanding 4-1 victory over fellow Premier League side AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series. The friendly, held at Soldier Field in Chicago, provided valuable minutes for both squads as they fine-tune their strategies and integrate new signings ahead of the upcoming 2025/2026 season.
Under the guidance of manager Ruben Amorim, Manchester United displayed a significantly improved performance, particularly in the opening half, building on their earlier 2-1 win against West Ham United in the same tournament. The Red Devils started with high intensity, pressing Bournemouth from the whistle and looking to score quickly. This aggressive approach paid dividends early on.
It took just eight minutes for Manchester United to open the scoring. A fantastic cross from young Patrick Dorgu found the head of Rasmus Højlund, who expertly guided the ball past Djordje Petrovic to give United the lead. Dorgu, having provided the assist, then got on the scoresheet himself in the 25th minute, capitalizing on a quick free-kick to extend United's advantage to 2-0 before halftime. The Red Devils' dominance in the first half was clear, showcasing a more fluid and assertive attacking display.
The second half saw more goals and further experimentation from both managers. Amad Diallo added to United's tally in the 53rd minute, further solidifying their lead. Youngster Ethan Williams then netted the fourth for Manchester United in the 72nd minute, taking advantage of a rebound and a defensive error in the Bournemouth area. While Bournemouth managed to pull one back through an unfortunate own goal from Matthijs de Ligt towards the end of the game, it was merely a consolation in what was a comprehensive victory for United.
For Manchester United, the match provided an encouraging glimpse into their attacking potential and the impact of some of their emerging talents. The focus for Amorim will be on building consistency and refining tactical elements as they approach the new Premier League campaign, especially given their challenging start against Arsenal.
Bournemouth, managed by Andoni Iraola, had also started their Summer Series strongly with a convincing 3-0 win over Everton. Despite the defeat against United, the Cherries will take away lessons as they prepare for a season where they'll aim to build on their impressive ninth-place finish in the 2024/2025 season. They've shown in previous encounters, including a dominant 3-0 win at Old Trafford last December, that they are capable of upsetting the odds.
The Premier League Summer Series continues to be a crucial part of pre-season for these top-flight teams, offering competitive fixtures in a high-profile setting. For Manchester United, this victory against Bournemouth serves as a confidence boost and a clear signal of their intent to improve upon their 15th-place finish last season. Fans will be eagerly anticipating their final pre-season fixtures as the new Premier League season draws closer.