United ran out 2-1 winners over West Ham in the first game of their US tour
Sean McCormick Football Content Editor
05:00, 28 Jul 2025
Manuel Ugarte pictured beating James Ward-Prowse during Manchester United’s win over West Ham(Image: Premier League YouTube)
Manchester United made a positive start to their tour of the USA, beating West Ham United 2-1 at the Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Two goals from captain Bruno Fernandes was enough to secure the win at the home of the New York Giants, despite Jarrod Bowen’s consolation goal for the Hammers.
Fernandes’ impact was obvious, while the performance of new signing Matheus Cunha was encouraging. Kobbie Mainoo looked bright, too, but Amorim may have been happiest about the performance of a player he had worked with prior to joining United.
It is fair to say the jury is still out on Manuel Ugarte after his first season at the club.
The Uruguayan international joined United from PSG in a deal worth £50million but was largely inconsistent in his first season in England.
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The 24-year-old worked under Amorim at Sporting CP before moving to the French capital and his performances in Lisbon convinced les Parisiens to make their move.
Ugarte established himself as one of the brightest young midfielders in Europe while playing under Amorim and the pair won a Portuguese League Cup together.
As Amorim heads into his first full season in charge of United after some difficulties last term, he will hope Ugarte can be one of the players who can drive standards and establish his ideas in the dressing room.
So his performance against West Ham last night would have encouraged Amorim, particularly how well he played alongside Mainoo at the base of midfield.
One moment, particularly, suggested Ugarte was on song and would have pleased his manager heading into the new season.
With United 1-0 up in the first half, Ugarte flew into a challenge with Guido Rodriguez when a loose ball presented itself in the West Ham half. He then nutmegged James Ward-Prowse before sliding a deft pass through to Amad.
The Ivorian buried his effort past Alphonse Areola and although the goal was ruled out for offside, that one passage of play showed Ugarte at his best.
After a mixed first season, if Ugarte can consistently show those qualities this term United may finally experience the benefits his £50million transfer was supposed to bring.