Manager says team played with “intensity” but pressure will be “so much different during the season”
Ruben Amorim has praised the early signs of improvement in his Manchester United side but stressed that the players had to continue on their upward trajectory ahead of the new season.
United secured a second straight win on their US tour with a 4-1 victory over Bournemouth at Soldier Field on Wednesday night.
Goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo and teenager Ethan Williams underlined a commanding display.
“It was a good game,” said Amorim. “We played with intensity. We were aggressive and that is something that we need to improve from last season.
United controlled the game throughout, even as heavy rain fell in Chicago. The team looked sharper than during much of last season, when they finished 15th in the league and showed little cohesion or intensity.
“We had better possession compared to the last game, so they are listening,” said Amorim. “Of course, scoring first in the beginning of the game can change the confidence of the team.
“We changed some positions and you feel that they know what to do in different positions.
“It was just a pre-season game but the feeling with the same players, even being a pre-season game, if you look at the same players now playing, it looks like a different team and that is a good sign.”
Amorim said the same players who finished 15th last season had shown that they could “play a different game”. Out of United’s summer signings, only the 18-year-old Diego Leon featured, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo missing the game.
“They are stronger,” said Amorim. “They are faster in this moment. Of course, it’s pre-season, but you can see the intensity is completely different. I can see that the data from the minutes are completely different.
“We are improving, but again, it’s a pre-season game. The pressure is going to be so much different during the season.”
