Bruno Fernandes scored in each half as Manchester United defeated West Ham United 2-1 at MetLife Stadium in both teams’ Summer Series openers on Saturday.
MORE — Full list of ins and outs at all 20 Premier League clubs
The Red Devils used 21 players — only goalkeeper Altay Bayindir went 90 minutes — and started Matheus Cunha, who looked bright. Ruben Amorim’s men showed better defensive understanding, too.
But West Ham was not great, Jarrod Bowen’s second-half goal pulling Graham Potter’s Irons as close as they’d come just after the hour mark.
What’s next?
The Summer Series heads to Chicago, where West Ham will scrap with Everton at Soldier Field for a 6:30pm ET Wednesday kickoff.
Manchester United meets Bournemouth three hours later.
Below you’ll find video highlights and live updates as they happened from New Jersey.
How to watch Manchester United vs West Ham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7pm ET Saturday (July 26)
Venue: MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV Channel, Streaming: Peacock
Manchester United vs West Ham live updates — by Nick Mendola
Manchester United vs West Ham final score — 2-1
Goal scorer: Bruno Fernandes (pen) 5′, 52′; Jarrod Bowen 63′
West Ham subs
Lucas Paqueta, Kostas Mavorpanos, and Freddie Potts enter for Rodriguez, Fullkrug, and Todibo.
(Almost) Wholesale changes for Man United
On come Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Mason Mount, Casemiro, Luke Shaw, Diego Leon, Chido Obi-Martin, Tyler Fredricson, Jack Fletcher, and Toby Collyer.
Bayindir remains in the game.
Jarrod Bowen goal — Man United 2-1 West Ham
Two old reliable Irons combine to pull the Red Devils within one, as Tomas Soucek sets up Jarrod Bowen after the hour mark.
Bowen pulls West Ham within one v. Man United
Jarrod Bowen gives the Hammers faithful some hope down the stretch as he blasts his effort into the back of the net to make it a one-goal game against Manchester United at MetLife Stadium.
Bruno Fernandes goal — Man United 2-0 West Ham
West Ham don’t look so good, but Bruno Fernandes sure does.
Kobbie Mainoo on the assist.
Fernandes doubles Man United’s lead over West Ham
Alphonse Areola’s second mistake of the night results in Manchester United’s second goal against West Ham as Bruno Fernandes completes his brace at MetLife Stadium.
Ruben Amorim speaks to Rebecca Lowe
Amorim says the starters will go another 25 minutes or so after the interval.
Halftime — Man United 1-0 West Ham
Altay Bayindir has had a couple of decent moments for the leaders, while Alphonse Areola’s errors account for his team’s deficit.
But Man United have been sound at the back, their returning players looking comfortable in Ruben Amorim’s system. Small signs, but signs.
Man Utd offside goal
No VAR at the Summer Series, but we’re not sure it would’ve mattered much.
Manuel Ugarte plays Amad Diallo into the box with a slick through ball, and Amad buries his chance past Areola.
But he’s a half-yard early.
Matheus Cunha impressing
He looks the same player who starred for Wolves.
Manchester United penalty — Bruno Fernandes goal
An Alphonse Areola error is multiplied by a second.
He can’t hold onto a cross and then hauls down Ayden Heaven in the box.
Bruno Fernandes at the spot. Not a problem.
Fernandes’ penalty gives Man Utd lead v. West Ham
A terrible error and foul by Alphonse Areola allows Bruno Fernandes to step up to the penalty spot and make it 1-0 against West Ham at MetLife Stadium.
Rasmus Hojlund clobbers the post
Fernandes slides Rasmus Hojlund toward goal in the first minute, but Max Kilman is stride for stride with the striker.
Still, Hojlund lets loose with a left-footed rocket that slams off the near post.
Here we go!
Bruno Fernandes gets us underway at MetLife in the second game of this Summer Series doubelheader.
Bournemouth won the first match, 3-0 over Everton.
Manchester United lineup
Bayindir, Yoro, De Ligt, Heaven, Dorgu, Mainoo, Ugarte, Amad, Fernandes, Cunha, Hojlund
West Ham lineup
Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd, Diouf, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Bowen, Fullkrug.
Manchester United vs West Ham United preview — by Andy Edwards
The Red Devils appointed Amorim back in November after Erik ten Hag was fired, but the 40-year-old Portuguese wasn’t too keen to take over mid-season and instead wanted to start the job this summer. Well, Man United finished the season 15th and won just 27 points from 27 games (16th during that time) under Amorim. It’s easy to see why he wanted a clean slate at Old Trafford, because now the new season is upon us and everyone is already thinking, if not saying, it: How many more defeats (14 of 27) will it take before Amorim is under real pressure to save his job? United should score more goals this season (32 in 27) after signing established Premier League stars Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha for a combined $180 million, but the problematic midfield remains unchanged, as does the shoddily patchworked defense (42 conceded in 27).
Speaking of another manager who likely wanted to start his new gig in the summer, Graham Potter is set for his first full season at West Ham. Mohammed Kudus’ $74-million transfer to Tottenham Hotspur leaves Potter short on attacking quality, but with the necessary funds to (finally) start piecing together his new project. So far, center back Jean-Clair Todibo ($44 million, Nice), left back El Hadji Malick Diouf ($25.5 million, Slavia Prague) and Kyle Walker-Peters (free, Southampton) have added to the team that struggled its way to a 14th-place finish last season.
Manchester United team news, focus
OUT: Andre Onana (hamstring), Lisandro Martinez (torn ACL)
West Ham team news, focus
OUT: Crysencio Summerville (hamstring)
Manchester United vs West Ham prediction
On paper, West Ham are really going to struggle to create scoring chances, let alone actually score them, this season. Manchester United 2-0 West Ham.
