Online Reporter
Manchester United may have spent more than £130million on Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha this summer, but Bruno Fernandes won’t give up his status as the main man easily.
Fernandes scored both goals in United’s 2-1 victory over West Ham in their Premier League Summer Series opener at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, converting from the spot after Alphonse Areola had dropped the ball and fouled Ayden Heaven, and a fantastic second goal after Kobbie Mainoo intercepted Areola’s awful pass out from the back.
The United captain could have had a hat-trick but scuffed his effort straight at the Hammers keeper early in the second half.
Fernandes carried United through a desperate season that saw them finish 15th in the Premier League and lose the Europa League final to Tottenham, and could easily have left Old Trafford this summer after receiving a mega-money offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal but decided to stay. United fans will be relieved that he did.
The Portugal star is likely to play in a more deeper midfield role this season after United signed Mbeumo and Cunha to fill the two No 10 positions in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, but he started further forward in New Jersey because Mbeumo still needs some more preparation before he can make his debut.
The Portugal star provided the pass that saw Rasmus Hojlund rattle a post inside the first minute and was never far from the action. But the highlight was his second goal in the 52nd minute, feigning to shoot at one side of the goal and then floating the ball into the other top corner.
The pressure is on Rasmus Hojlund to show he can lead the line for United as the club continue to be linked with a number of strikers.
The Dane made a strong start when he charged forward to hit the outside of the post in the opening seconds, and also showed good feet before scooping another effort over from the edge of the box in the first half.
There were echoes of his first appearance on tour a year ago when he showed similar strength to score against Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium in LA before going off minutes later with a hamstring injury that kept him out of action until late September.
At least Hojlund lasted until Amorim changed all his 10 outfield players after the hour mark, but he had gone a little quiet by then and will be hoping to show a bit more against Bournemouth in the second game in Chicago next week. – Daily Mail
