Football writer Tom Prentki picks out the key takeaways from the first round of matches in the Premier League Summer Series.
Hojlund looking sharp
Fifty seconds into the match in New Jersey, Rasmus Hojlund struck a thunderous shot against the near post, having outstripped Max Kilman for pace. The Danish striker did everything correctly but, if there is anyone who needs to start this new season strongly, it is him. Just four goals last season is not the sort of return anyone expected from the player signed from Atalanta for a reported £72million, but he looked fit and sharp against West Ham United.
Cunha slots in seamlessly
Before kick-off, Ruben Amorim praised Matheus Cunha’s “big personality” in the Manchester United dressing room, contrasting it with the quieter Bryan Mbuemo, who wasn’t ready to feature here, having just joined from Brentford. Cunha was given his first start since signing from Wolves and looked cohesive playing alongside Bruno Fernandes, behind lone striker Hojlund.
Talisman Fernandes delivers again
The only bright spot in a torrid season at Old Trafford last time around were the consistently brilliant performances from their captain. The Portuguese scored 19 goals and provided 19 assists and, despite being heavily linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League this summer, he picked up exactly where he left off in New Jersey, scoring both of United’s goals. He will undoubtedly be pivotal if there is going to be any resurgence from the Red Devils this season.
Man Utd 2-1 West Ham highlights
Bowen continues where he left off
West Ham head coach Graham Potter will be hoping to see so much more from Niklas Fullkrug this season, the man West Ham paid Borussia Dortmund a reported £27million for last summer. Fullkrug had little involvement as Potter’s side struggled to create chances but Jarrod Bowen, the Hammers’ captain, chipped in with 13 goals and eight assists in what was a disappointing season for the Hammers. He again showed his worth here, holding off Ayden Heaven and scoring brilliantly into the far corner to pull a goal back for West Ham.
Everton need defensive reinforcements
No James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite or Michael Keane saw Everton field a makeshift defence, with midfielder James Garner filling in at centre-back. The unfamiliarity was evident, with Nathan Patterson and Jake O’Brien both making high-profile errors that led to goals.
David Moyes has indicated that he might look to sign as many as nine new players this summer, and so far only Thierno Barry, Carlos Alcaraz and Mark Travers have arrived, but the Toffees have are reportedly looking to finalise deals to bring in Malick Fofana from Lyon and Adam Aznou from Bayern Munich.
There were some positives for Everton. Alcaraz was a threat in the No 10 role while Iliman Ndiaye caused lots of problems for Bournemouth down Everton’s left.
Bournemouth plugging defensive gaps
The loss of Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid and Milos Kerkez to Liverpool will have plenty of Bournemouth supporters concerned about their defence ahead of the new season.
But in Marcos Senesi, Illia Zabarnyi and James Hill, head coach Andoni Iraola looks to have enough options in central defence, while Adrien Truffert, the left-back signed from Rennes, hasn’t put a foot wrong since arriving to fill the considerable void left by Kerkez.
Going forward, the Cherries retained all the high-pressing energy that helped them to their best-ever Premier League finish of ninth last season. Everton could not live with their intensity in the second half.