The Premier League Summer Series is heading straight to the heart of Chicago, and Soldier Field is about to turn into a soccer spectacle. Manchester United and Bournemouth, both fresh off confident wins on the East Coast, are all set for their second pre-season encounter of the tour.
Following a weekend of thrilling performances in New Jersey, both squads now aim to bring that heat to the Midwest. If you’re tuning in from the States, here’s the lowdown:
📺 Where to Watch:
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Kick-off: 9:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday
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Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
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TV & Streaming: Exclusive coverage on Peacock
Now let’s dive into all the juicy details of this sizzling mid-summer showdown.
🚨 Score Update: Manchester United 1-0 Bournemouth (Live Blog Recap)
So far, it’s Manchester United who’ve drawn first blood. Just 8 minutes in, Rasmus Hojlund delivered a clinical header from a stunning cross courtesy of Dorgu. That early goal has the Red Devils fans in Chicago on their feet.
And yes — the game’s just getting warmed up. PST’s live blog (by Andy Edwards) is providing up-to-the-minute action, but here's a taste of what’s gone down so far.
⚽ Goalscorer:
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Man United: Rasmus Hojlund (8’)
🧨 How They Got Here: Summer Series Openers Recap
Let’s backtrack a bit. Both teams made strong statements during their opening matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
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Manchester United kicked things off with a bang, taking down West Ham. A Bruno Fernandes brace led the way in a convincing performance. Fernandes, ever the engine of this team, looked dialed in and ready to dominate another season.
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Bournemouth, on the other hand, took full advantage of Everton’s defensive mishaps in a 3-0 routing. It wasn’t just about goals — the Cherries were clinical and composed. Adrien Truffert, their recent signing, looked particularly sharp and seems ready to fill the shoes of Milos Kerkez, who’s now donning Liverpool red.
Both sides came away with not only wins, but major talking points.
🧠 Tactical Outlook & Key Players to Watch
🔴 Manchester United
Manager Erik ten Hag appears to be rotating his squad smartly. Some new faces have already made waves — especially Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon. Although not part of tonight's starting XI, they’ve shown glimpses of what’s to come this season.
The Red Devils lined up tonight with:
Starting XI:
Heaton – Yoro, Maguire, Shaw – Casemiro, Dalot, Dorgu, Fernandes – Amad, Mount, Hojlund
Hojlund’s early goal might be a sign that he's ready to lead the line with serious intent this season. And keep an eye on Dorgu, who delivered a beautiful assist — he might be a surprise standout this summer.
A key absence to note is Bryan Mbeumo. The much-anticipated newcomer from Brentford is being kept on ice for the final Summer Series fixture, according to manager Ruben Amorim.
🍒 Bournemouth
The Cherries, led by Andoni Iraola, have been buzzing with potential. Despite losing two big talents — Kerkez and Dean Huijsen — to Liverpool and Real Madrid respectively, the rest of the roster is holding strong.
Starting XI:
Petrovic – Hill, Senesi, Zabarnyi – Araujo, Billing, Tavernier, Soler – Semenyo, Ouattara, Evanilson
Look out for Antoine Semenyo, who’s been used as a secret weapon off the bench. And don’t sleep on Djordje Petrovic, the former New England Revolution star who’s staking his claim for the starting keeper spot after his Chelsea stint.
🌟 Who’s Got the Edge?
Manchester United’s defense looked sharp in their opener — minus a late concession to Jarrod Bowen. The Maguire-Shaw partnership showed better cohesion than expected, and Casemiro’s presence as the midfield anchor added needed calm.
But Bournemouth won't be pushovers. Everton may have gifted them some goals last week, but the Cherries still finished those chances with authority. This match will definitely be more of a test for United’s backline.
🔮 Prediction:
It’s hard to call a summer friendly too seriously, but based on current form and firepower...
Manchester United 2 - 1 Bournemouth
Expect another big night from Bruno, and perhaps a late scare from Bournemouth to keep it interesting.
🔥 X-Factor Moments to Watch
Here are a few spicy things to keep an eye on:
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Can Hojlund double up? That early goal might be a sign of him breaking out this season.
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Will Semenyo get more minutes? His energy off the bench could be crucial.
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Dorgu’s rise: One assist in, the young wing-back might just be the Red Devils’ surprise package.
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Petrovic in goal: The U.S. fan favorite is looking more comfortable each outing. Can he cement that No. 1 spot?
🇺🇸 Soccer in the USA — Building Momentum
The Premier League’s pre-season tour has been a treat for American fans. Hosting games in football-centric cities like New York and Chicago helps push the global brand, and tonight’s packed Soldier Field is proof that U.S. fans are craving top-tier action.
Chicago, a city with a growing soccer culture, is the perfect backdrop for this summer slugfest. As fans chant and wave flags from both camps, there’s no doubt the atmosphere will rival that of any Premier League weekend.
🏁 Final Whistle Thoughts
This matchup isn't just another friendly — it’s a litmus test for both squads. United wants to fine-tune ahead of a make-or-break season under ten Hag, while Bournemouth’s Iraola is trying to shape a squad that punches above its weight.
It’s Chicago. It’s prime-time. And it’s two Premier League squads trying to outgun each other in front of a rowdy U.S. crowd.
Bring the popcorn. This one’s got fireworks written all over it. 💥⚽
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