Rúben Amorim has praised one of his Manchester United stars for improving on an important skill set following a 4-1 win over Bournemouth.
Manchester United produced a convincing 4-1 win over Bournemouth in their third match of the 2025 pre-season tour, with Rúben Amorim’s side continuing to impress on American soil.
The game started with real intensity from United, and they were ahead inside 10 minutes when Rasmus Højlund met Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu’s cross with a glancing header to open the scoring.
Dorgu remained at the heart of the action, playing a key role once again as United doubled their lead on 25 minutes, capping off a dominant first-half display.
After the interval, the pressure didn’t let up. Amad added a third with a clinical strike after a scramble in the box, finishing off a fluid attacking move.
Amorim made several changes in the final 20 minutes, and Academy talent Ethan Williams quickly added a fourth, finishing off a driving run and a fortunate pass from new signing Diego Leon. A late own goal from Matthijs de Ligt was no more than a consolation as United sealed a dominant win in Chicago.
Højlund improving his all-round game
It was fantastic to see four of United’s other players get themselves on the scoresheet after Bruno Fernandes netted both goals on the weekend fixture against West Ham, including Højlund’s first of the season.
After a poor campaign across 2024/25, Amorim was pleased to see that the Danish international not only scored his goal, but also added much better link-up and hold-up play to his game.
“For me, it’s more than a goal,” Amorim explained in his post-match press conference. “For him, it’s more important the goal and for the fans maybe it’s more important the goal.
“We need goals. But the way he’s linking the play in this moment, the way he’s fighting for the balls, sometimes we are pressed, we can kick the ball, and he’s connecting the ball. That is so important for us to play better. So he’s doing a very good job.”
Højlund set to be handed more competition this season
When United signed Joshua Zirkzee last summer, the idea was that he and Højlund would compete together for the starting striker slot. But, as Amorim joined the club, it became clear that the former was better in a deeper role.
This left Højlund with little competition up front, so when he experienced a rough patch of form after the turn of 2025, it created a black hole. Højlund’s lack of confidence prevented him from playing well, while his poor form in turn contributed to a continued lack of confidence.
However, with United keen on signing 22-year-old RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško as Amorim’s new central striker, this would provide Højlund with both fresh competition and the ability to rotate.
Many of Højlund’s issues centred on the fact that he could not escape from the spotlight, so if Šeško joined, this would likely give him the competition push he needs while simultaneously easing some of the pressure he felt last campaign.
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