Manchester United drew 2-2 with Everton on Sunday night, but still ended up as Premier League Summer Series champions.
Ruben Amorim is heading towards his first full Premier League campaign as Manchester United boss and will have mixed feelings about the Premier League Summer Series.
On the one hand, United beat West Ham United before Amorim’s side hammered Bournemouth to make it two wins from two.
Effectively, those wins were enough for United to win the Premier League Summer Series, but the 2-2 draw with Everton brought back some familiar concerns.
Bruno Fernandes slammed United for being ‘lazy’ off the ball, and Amorim’s men certainly had problems when Everton went direct.
United took the lead twice but threw away victory, so while winning the Premier League Summer Series is a boost, there is still a lot of work to be done.
Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesRasmus Hojlund rages at Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu
Everton’s second goal was a rather comical one for United to concede, but there was still a huge chance for the Red Devils to win the game.
Mason Mount threaded a brilliant ball through the Everton back line, finding left wing-back Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu bursting towards the box.
Dorgu shrugged off his man and went for goal, forcing Jordan Pickford into a strong save to keep the score at 2-2.
Dorgu may have felt some attacking confidence after impressing against Bournemouth, but his decision to shoot left compatriot Rasmus Hojlund furious.
Hojlund was in the box, screaming for Dorgu to pick him out for a tap-in from a matter of yards out.
Dorgu went for goal himself and Hojlund went mad, kicking the post in frustration while berating Dorgu for not squaring the ball.
The left wing-back is still learning his craft at the highest level, and this will go down as a learning moment for him as he continues to develop.
Dorgu was so impressive going forward against Bournemouth, notching an assist before scoring a goal from a not-too-dissimilar situation to the one on Sunday.
The 20-year-old couldn’t produce the finish this time, but the run forward was encouraging, and Amorim will just look to refine that end product in the future – whether it’s going for goal or finding a teammate.
Graeme Le Saux on Rasmus Hojlund going ‘crazy’ at Patrick Dorgu
Pundit Graeme Le Saux noticed Hojlund’s outburst, suggesting that the United striker was ‘going absolutely crazy’ at Dorgu.
Speaking on NBC Sports (04/08), Le Saux noted that a microphone by the goal picked up the power of Hojlund’s kick against the post, showing his anger in the moment.
However, Le Saux actually felt that Dorgu made the right decision, with the former England left-back offering his backing to the Dane.
“Rasmus Hojlund is going absolutely crazy at Dorgu,” said Le Saux.
“You can hear him hit the post, Hojlund. There must be a microphone on there!
“In that situation, Dorgu, I think he does the right thing. It’s a very good save by Pickford and a fantastic pass by Mason Mount,” he added.
Everton defender Michael Keane came back to narrow the angle, and Hojlund may have even strayed slightly offside.
Hojlund may not agree with that verdict, but it was great to see Dorgu playing with confidence in the final third and long may that continue – hopefully with more attacking returns in the future.