West Ham were thrashed 4-0 by Bayer Leverkusen in their final pre-season friendly, while new Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana was lobbed from the centre circle against RC Lens.
Growing unease among fans about West Ham’s lack of signings will only have been heightened by their side’s defeat.
There is understood to be a difference of opinion between manager David Moyes and technical director Tim Steidten.
A total of 13 Premier League teams were in pre-season action on Saturday.
The thrashing by German side Leverkusen – who were 3-0 up at half-time – will increase the scrutiny on Moyes’ side before next Saturday’s first league game at Bournemouth.
Moyes is thought to favour established Premier League players, such as James Ward-Prowse, Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher and Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay.
However, West Ham believe they are too expensive and Steidten has suggested other options.
The Hammers believe any tensions that do exist will settle down once the season starts, but results like this will increase the demand to spend some of the £105m raised from the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal last month.
Talks are thought to be at an advanced stage over signing Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez, who was outstanding in Mexico’s Gold Cup final triumph against Panama in Los Angeles earlier this month, although no deal has been finalised yet.
Rashford shines as Man Utd overcome Lens
Marcus Rashford was on target for Manchester United as Erik ten Hag’s side came from behind to record a 3-1 success against Ligue 1 outfit Lens at Old Trafford.
A missed chance by Mason Mount and fellow new signing Onana being caught off his line from halfway for Lens’ opener did not bode well.
However, in fairness to the Cameroon keeper, he was exposed by Diogo Dalot needlessly giving the ball away in his own half, which gave Florian Sotoca the chance to chip home from 50 yards.
Rashford led the revival, finishing off a fine Antony pass to bring a strong United starting line-up level, before the Brazilian winger put them in front from Alejandro Garnacho’s assist.
New signing Rasmus Hojlund was introduced to a 57,802 crowd before kick-off but Rashford showed United have one striker in form, powering the header that deflected in off Casemiro to complete the victory.
Ten Hag’s side complete their pre-season campaign against Athletic Bilbao in Dublin on Sunday.
Calvert-Lewin back on scoresheet for Everton
Newcastle United won 2-0 against Italian side Fiorentina thanks to goals from Miguel Almiron and Alexander Isak while Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who missed most of last season through injury, scored from the spot as Everton beat Sporting 1-0 at Goodison Park.
Aston Villa completed an unbeaten pre-season with a 2-1 win over manager Unai Emery’s former side Valencia in Spain, with Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Buendía scoring.
New signings Raul Jimenez and Calvin Bassey scored as Fulham beat Hoffenheim 2-1. Mexican striker Jimenez’s former club Wolves won 3-1 against French side Rennes.
Bournemouth beat Lorient 2-0 and Crystal Palace also won 2-0 against French opposition in Lyon.
Like West Ham, the three newly-promoted sides also suffered defeats to German opposition, Burnley and Sheffield United losing 3-0 to Mainz and Stuttgart respectively, while Luton Town were defeated 2-1 by Bochum.
The Hatters then played a second 90 minutes in Bochum, winning 3-1.
Brentford drew 0-0 with Lille and Nottingham Forest also went goalless in their game at Eintracht Frankfurt.
