BRUNO Fernandes’ double gave Ruben Amorim his first win of the pre-season campaign – and showed just how important it was to keep him at Old Trafford.
Amorim gave his captain the choice of staying at the club or accepting the £100m Saudi offer.
And the Portuguese boss was given a reminder of what his fellow countryman brings to the party with the early goals in either half that ensured the majority of the 50,000-plus inside the MetLIfe Stadium went home happy.
Fernandes put United in front inside just five minutes, rolling home from the spot after calamitous keeping from West Ham No 1 Alphonse Areola.
And the United skipper was equally deadly when he had time to line one up from the edge of the box soon after the restart, Areole helpless once again.
On a sultry evening which saw another run-out for £62.5m Brazilian Matheus Cunha – although no sighting of the club’s other new big money recruit, Bryan Mbeumo – United were far too good for Graham Potter’s side.
Yet Rasmus Hojlund’s struggles to find the net continued, the Dane slamming a first minute shot against the post but then failing to hit the target when well placed, before being left begging for a Fernandes pass that would have gifted him a sitter.
For Amorim, though, the sight of Cunha and Fernandes showing early promise of a real understanding will have been the biggest boost, although Patrick Dorgu also impressed.
But while a victory was useful, the United boss will have been concerned at how easily Tomas Soucek slipped into the central hole left by Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo, leaving youngster Ayden Heaven exposed as Jarrod Bowen slammed home for West Ham.
In pre-season games, though, such things are less important and a week after United were limp and lifeless against Leeds in Stockholm, their intensity levels were much better.
Hojlund’s early strike was soon followed by the United opener, with Areola dropping a simple ball and then compounding his felony by clumsily and blatantly ploughing through Heaven for the most obvious penalty you could imagine.
Bruno made no mistake, sending the hapless Areola the wrong way and with West Ham pretty woeful, the surprise was that United, without £71m Mbeumo – not involved at all after only completing his move to the club on Monday – did not immediately extend their advantage.
Dorgu’s pace was a constant menace, Hojlund was wastefully high from 16 yards – Amorim’s slap of the head a sign of his feelings – and the lively Cunha shot straight at Areola.
Leny Yoro should have converted a Fernandes corner before the flag rightly denied Amad Diallo from a clever Manuel Ugarte pass, although Soucek should have made them pay when he nodded tamely at the exposed Altay Bayindir from six yards.
Amorim was asked for his interval views at the break – a sign of things to come under the new Prem TV contract coming into force this season – while cameras were also briefly allowed in the United dressing room.
Frustrations would have grown when Fernandes failed to get the ball past Areola after racing through the middle, when a simple pass would have given Hojlund a tap-in.
But the captain soon made up for the miss with an exquisite curler into the corner from the edge of the box, only for that misfiring central midfield to be punished as Bowen was too cute for Heaven before drilling home.
Bowen could even have nicked a draw with the last shot of the game, Bayindir making a smart save.
His goal, and the sight of Lucas Paqueta – who is set to be exonerated by the FA probe into alleged betting offences – were positives for Potter. He needs a few more.
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS
Altay Bayindir: Surely running out of time at Old Trafford, even if United do not sign a new No 1. Doesn’t really inspire confidence although did nothing wrong. 6
Leny Yoro: Slightly caught out a couple of times but able to recover positionally. Silly booking and should have scored with his first half header. Fans love him but still plenty to learn. 5
Matthijs de Ligt: Appeared happier looking after Niclas Fullkrug than when Jarrod Bowen prowled centrally. Had to show his experience with rookies either side of him and did that well enough. 7
Ayden Heaven: Teenager has promised to get forward and be a box threat and he made good on that vow to earn the early spot kick. Clearly a prospect but may not get the game-time he wants this term and found Bowen a tricky customer even before the goal. 6
Amad Diallo: Not sure Diallo is a natural right wing-back. And there was little to change that view in New Jersey although he was never really exposed defensively by a poor Hammers side. 6
Manuel Ugarte: Some smart interceptions by the Spaniard, who has still to really convince in a United shirt. Was able to influence this one, though. Maybe a sign of better things but Amorim will look differently at West Ham’s goal. 7
Kobbie Mainoo: Amorim wants him to play with more pace and intensity. All about knowing when to make the right pass. At times he looks a real player, other times a little lost, as shown for the Bowen goal. 6
Patrick Dorgu: Danish defender showed a real desire to get up the left flank, causing Todibo and Co constant problems. Almost earned his side a second penalty in the opening quarter and kept on coming for more. 8
Bruno Fernandes: Never any doubt about the spot-kick as he gave Areola the eyes before also finding the bottom corner in the second half. Enjoyed himself. United fans will be even more grateful the skipper turned down that £100m Saudi move. 8
Matheus Cunha: Brazilian looked to link up with Bruno although not always on the same wavelength. Dropped into spaces cleverly. Will have tougher defences to break down than these Hammers but an encouraging start. 7
Rasmus Hojlund: So unlucky not to get off the mark in the first minute as he left Kilman for dust before slamming against the outside of the post. But does he really make enough correct decisions to be United’s line leader? Jury remains out. 7
Subs (all at 67 minutes):
Diogo Dalot: Slotted in on the right, just as you would expect 6
Tyler Fredricson: Will have relished the chance to play alongside some really experienced players, especially Maguire and Casemiro 6
Diego Leon: Teenager will learn from training with Dorgu and Shaw but United think he has real promise 6
Harry Maguire: Took over de Ligt’s defensive role and was exactly what it says on the tin 6
Luke Shaw: Playing on the left of a three means less running. That might be good news for the England defender 6
Casemiro: Maybe not as mobile as Ugarte but he makes up for it with nous and experience. Not that he’s that fussed about a pre-season game in New Jersey. 5
Tom Collyer: Likely to struggle for game-time at United this season but put in a stint 5
Jack Fletcher: Big chance to make an impression but hard in a game like this 5
Mason Mount: This could be a make or break year at United for the England midfielder. He knows it too. 6
Chido Obi: Young striker can offer pace and mobility. But can he really hurt Prem defenders? Not clear. 5
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