Manchester United kicked off their 2025 USA pre-season tour with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against West Ham United at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. A crowd of nearly 60,000 fans packed the arena, eager to see United’s new-look squad under Ruben Amorim as the team begins its preparations for the 2025/26 season.

While pre-season fixtures often focus on fitness and experimentation rather than results, this game provided plenty of talking points as Ten Hag’s side looked to shake off early rust and test new tactical ideas.

With both goals from Bruno Fernandes, United showed flashes of quality, though West Ham made them work hard for the win, particularly in the second half. The game also offered glimpses of some fresh faces, squad depth, and lingering issues that need to be resolved before the Premier League campaign begins next month. As United gear up for their next pre-season clash on Wednesday, here are five key takeaways from their victory over West Ham.

1. Rasmus Højlund Looks Sharper and Ready to Lead the Line

One of the biggest talking points ahead of the new season is whether Rasmus Højlund can establish himself as Manchester United’s primary striker. After an inconsistent debut campaign plagued by injuries and adapting to the Premier League’s physical demands, the Danish forward appears determined to hit the ground running.

Højlund came very close to opening the scoring with a well-taken strike that peeled off a chunk of paint from the upright in the first half, showing both composure and strength. His positioning was excellent throughout the game, as he constantly stretched West Ham’s defence with his runs behind the backline. What stood out even more was his link-up play—he dropped deep on several occasions to combine with Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount, allowing wingers to cut inside.

Pre-season is often about building confidence, and this goal will do wonders for Højlund’s self-belief. With United still rumored to be in the market for a backup striker, the 21-year-old has a chance to prove he can shoulder the attacking load. If his sharpness continues to improve, he could be the difference-maker in United’s early-season fixtures.

2. Bruno Fernandes is still the creative engine

Perfect placement from @B_Fernandes8 🎯👌

Enjoy the full highlights from our win over West Ham ⬇️

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 27, 2025

While several players looked rusty, captain Bruno Fernandes was once again at the heart of everything positive for United. His second-half goal—a trademark strike from the edge of the box—reminded fans why he remains indispensable to Amorim’s setup. Fernandes’ vision and quick decision-making frequently unlocked West Ham’s compact defensive structure.

The Portuguese playmaker not only contributed offensively but also set the tone with his pressing and leadership. His ability to dictate tempo, particularly when United were under pressure in the second half, was crucial to seeing out the win.

Questions have been raised about how Amorim will get the best out of Fernandes alongside Matheus Cunha and Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, but the early signs suggest that Fernandes remains the team’s heartbeat. His chemistry with Højlund and the wingers will be vital if United want to improve on last season’s inconsistent attacking performances.

3. New Faces and youth prospects impress

Pre-season matches are as much about evaluating the squad’s depth as they are about first-team preparation. Against West Ham, Ruben Amorim handed minutes to some young prospects, and several took their chances to impress.

Chido Obi-Martin showed flashes of creativity on the right wing, frequently cutting inside to test the defence.

Toby Collyer looked composed in midfield, playing simple but effective passes and covering ground well.

Academy graduate Tyler Fredricson was solid at the back, winning key duels and showing composure under pressure.

On the flip side, some senior players are still fighting to prove their worth. Mason Mount, who continues to be linked with a move away, was quiet and failed to make a significant impact. Meanwhile, the Frenchman Leny Yoro is expected to bring competition to the defensive setup in upcoming matches.

United fans will be encouraged to see young talent integrating into the squad, as Amorim’s long-term project heavily emphasises developing future stars. The next games in the USA tour will provide more opportunities for these players to stake their claim for the senior team.

4. Defensive shape needs fine-tuning

While United secured the win, their defensive performance was at times lacking. West Ham’s equalizer came from a lapse in concentration, with a simple cross catching the backline out of position. Matthijs de Ligt and Ayden Heaven were not always on the same page, particularly when dealing with Jarrod Bowen’s trickery and Niclas Fullkrug’s physicality.

Part of this is to be expected—pre-season matches often lack the intensity and sharpness of competitive games—but United must tighten up at the back if they are to avoid repeating last season’s mistakes. Amorim’s system demands that full-backs push high, which leaves space for counter-attacks, and West Ham exploited this on several occasions.

The potential signing of a left-back or additional central defender could help address these issues. For now, Amorim will be keen to see how players like Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu adapt in upcoming matches.

5. Tactical experimentation and fitness building

Ruben Amorim used this match to experiment with different tactical shapes and player roles. United started in their familiar 4-2-3-1 but transitioned into a 3-2-4-1 when in possession, with Dorgu tucking into midfield. This flexible approach allowed United to dominate large spells of possession but also left them vulnerable when losing the ball.

Fitness levels were also clearly being tested. Several players looked leggy in the second half, prompting a flurry of substitutions around the 60-minute mark. This is a normal part of pre-season, but it also highlighted the need for better squad rotation when competitive fixtures begin.

The upcoming game on Wednesday will give Amorim another chance to experiment, particularly with players returning from international duty and new signings potentially integrating into the squad. With tough fixtures against EPL teams and European opponents coming up, this USA tour is crucial for fine-tuning both tactics and fitness.

Looking ahead: What’s next for Man United?

Manchester United’s next match on Wednesday offers another chance to build rhythm and chemistry before the Premier League opener on August 17 against Arsenal. Fans will be watching to see if Højlund can continue his goal-scoring form and whether young prospects like Forson and Collyer get more minutes.

Transfer speculation continues to swirl around the club, with the striker and central midfield positions under particular focus. If United can resolve these issues while maintaining momentum during pre-season, they could be well-positioned to challenge for silverware in 2025/26.

The 2-1 victory over West Ham at MetLife Stadium may not have been a perfect performance, but it provided plenty of positives for Manchester United fans. Rasmus Højlund’s sharpness, Bruno Fernandes’ leadership, and the promising signs from youth prospects all point to a team gradually finding its rhythm. At the same time, defensive lapses and fitness issues are reminders that pre-season is a work in progress.

With another game on the horizon this Wednesday, Amorim will continue refining his tactics and squad selection. If these early signs are anything to go by, United’s USA tour could set the tone for a much stronger campaign ahead.