Bowen scores but Hammers lose to Manchester United at Premier League Summer Series

Potter’s team played some attractive football at times and enjoyed nearly 60% possession in the first period, but failed to trouble goalkeeper Altay Bayındır often enough, while the Red Devils created a succession of chances to add to their early lead.

Indeed, Rasmus Højlund had already thumped a first-minute shot against Areola’s post before the Frenchman dropped the ball as he collided with El Hadji Malick Diouf, fouled Heaven, and Fernandes rolled the spot-kick into the bottom left-hand corner.

With the Londoners looking a little uncertain, Højlund fired over from 18 yards, Matheus Cunha worked Areola from 25 and Fernandes thumped too high from range.

West Ham’s first goal attempt finally arrived on 33 minutes, but James Ward-Prowse’s acrobatic effort was deflected wide.

Manchester United continued to threaten, though, and Maximilian Kilman had to block Cunha’s shot, Leny Yoro headed the resulting Fernandes corner powerfully and narrowly wide, and Amad was denied a second by an offside flag after slotting in Manuel Ugarte’s through ball.

The Hammers belatedly sprung into life as half-time approached, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jarrod Bowen looking lively. The latter won a corner, James Ward-Prowse delivered it, Nayef Aguerd headed down and Tomáš Souček nodded too close to Bayındır from six yards out.

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