The friendly results make MU look like a team with strength. But this is not the first time the Red Devils have made fans feel the same, and whether this time is different?
The reaction from a MU coaching staff is almost unbelievable before Patrick Dorgu's performance in Chicago. “Excellent” is the word that the assistant used to describe Dorgu's start at the club. Dorgu, a pure left -back, is developing into a Winger based on what has been shown in the pre -season stage.
Players chosen for the roles of MU's 3-4-2-1 system are often called “Wing-back” while they are judged as Winger. They were chosen to support the striker. Dorgu did so for Rasmus Hojlund's first goal against Bournemouth.
“We have a very good relationship,” Hojlund said in the interview area after the match at Soldier Field. “There is only one year of age and we have a lot of friends together. We also come from the same area in Denmark and we are really starting to be close.”
Dorgu also scored for the first time in the MU shirt. The 20 -year -old has a stronger and more drastic attack thinking than his first months.
“I feel like I play in the same way,” Dorgu said. “I only arrived at a difficult time and I think the team is improving a lot in the pre -season period. I think it is the improvement of the whole collective rather than individuals.”
“I feel we need to attack more and I feel that I and Amad have done well today when attacking and always a threat behind the opponent's defense.”
Ruben Amorim has had difficulty finding a balance that suits its MU squad for the first 6 months. He often has to choose up to 8 defensive players, almost not suitable for the club's philosophy.
The indecision was evident in the days before the Europa League final when Bruno Fernandes was suddenly taken to the middle line to make room for Mason Mount, a decision to extinguish the opportunity of Alejandro Garnacho.
Now the MU defenders are participating in the attack more. In the absence of Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro is taking on the role of breaking routes from the center -back position, making unexpected passes from the home field to the opponent's yard.
Fernandes played very energetic in the central midfielder in the match against Bournemouth, Dorgu was more attacked rather than defensive and Hojlund was supported by Amad and Mason Mount. It is a better balance.
MU did not hold a complete opening training session, as they made on previous trips, due to the huge amount of tactical work that Amorim has done. Club media lenses are not even allowed to enter those sensitive segments. The players are playing as if they were pushed to the limit.
Jose Mourinho commented that Amorim's system revolves around “providing depth to the striker”. MU plays more directly and makes more passes forward for Hojlund – no longer isolated when there is a ball.
“I will not say every training session, but he (Amorim) ensures that you are prepared for every match,” Diogo Dalot said. “We come to every match that we know more or less what will happen to the opponent.”
“Obviously, they can change something, but the basic things of each team, we are prepared. We always do tactical analysis and prepare tactics. He focuses on it so that we will never be passive.”
“But at the same time, the message is very clear. There is not too much information, so everyone knows two or three things they need to do in the match. When we are used to that, I think we will reach a maturity, where we can almost close our eyes. We all know where our teammates will be on the pitch.”
Amorim personally monitor tactical analysis. Unlike Louis van Gaal, Amorim believes that players make their own decisions in the match. His assistant, Carlos Fernandes, continued to be in charge of fixed situations and certain exercises.
MU coach has applied a softer form of discipline than Erik Ten Hag. Breakfast players at Waldorf Astoria from 7:30 am and must be on the bus to the training ground at the Endeavor Health Performance Center before 9:15. There was a gym before the players went to the pitch at 10:30. Amorim usually practices gym for an hour from 7am every day.
Ten HAG's not too focused time caused blockage at the stairs at MU's Bangkok Hotel during his first trip in 2022. The elevator at Athenee hotel was too slow, making the players sometimes climb 40 floors of the stairs to go to meals on time.
MU has shown the boldness in two matches in New Jersey and Chicago. MU's chance of transformation in the match later with Bournemouth is not like them at all: 4 goals from 6 shots on the target. What made Amorim most satisfied was that MU won without any of the two contracts worth £ 133.5 million in the squad at Soldier Field.
The team seems to be synchronized after 6 months of difficulty grasping Amorim's style. He has determined the most suitable position for certain players, such as placing Harry Maguire or Matthijs de Ligt in the middle of the three -person defense. A small adjustment but made Yoro and Ayden Heaven on the left wing more confident.
Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte have not played together, so the squad is not overloaded with defensive players. MU was originally rigid in the 3-4-2-1 scheme and now looks flexible, with Amad and Kobbie Mainoo seamlessly transformed between different roles in two tours.
“More than the result, that's how the players are playing,” Amorim answered when asked if there was any difference about MU. “I think that is really important. People can't see that. I think they play better because they are connected better with each other. Not only on the pitch, but also on the yard.”
“I think they are stronger, faster. At this time, of course, this is the pre -season period. But you can see completely different intensity. I can see data from completely different minutes.”
“Therefore, we are improving. But again, this is a pre -season match. The pressure will be very different in the season. It is important that they understand that the same player but can play very differently. I think today is a good day.”
