Photo by Hari Anggara/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Hari Anggara/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Manchester United’s post-season tour kicked off with a loss that was a microcosm of their issues all season.
The 1-0 loss to ASEAN All-Stars was full of Man Utd players dominating territory and possession without any cutting-edge or thrust.
Granted, multiple players played as few as 15 minutes so there was no rhythm to the game, but ASEAN All-Stars as an outfit literally doesn’t even exist so that can’t be an excuse for United.
The worry was summed up by Ruben Amorim’s senior star being shown up again by his 17-year-old prodigy in a problematic theme.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Rasmus Hojlund shown up by Chido Obi vs ASEAN All-Stars
It has become an increasingly problematic theme recently, but not many expected Rasmus Hojlund to struggle as much as he did against ASEAN All-Stars.
Nothing Hojlund did came off in the game. Not his fancy flicks, not his straightforward passes, and certainly not his shooting.
His clumsiness killed various attacking moves at the origin and the team was crying out for a semi-competent presence up front.
In a development equal parts worrying and encouraging for for Ruben Amorim, Chido Obi was that presence as he showed up Hojlund within minutes of coming on.
Obi didn’t score either but the way he moved near the box and created chances for himself was something that should have been expected from Hojlund.
Obi just missed that little bit of experience that comes with playing games, with his basics and raw tools an exciting package.
Amorim will be happy that Obi doesn’t look far away from the first-team level. In the same vein, Hojlund is increasingly looking like a lost cause.
Rasmus Hojlund needs to be sold in the summer
It is worth mentioning that Hojlund is also just 22 but any young player needs to show glimpses of potential to receive backing.
Forget about glimpses, the Danish striker has taken a huge step backwards this season after showing those glimpses last season.
The service to him, or rather the lack of it, was certainly a problem, but the way Obi has made a nuisance of himself whenever he’s come on doesn’t paint Hojlund in a good light.
It’s difficult for a striker to succeed in the Man Utd team as currently constructed, but Hojlund makes that difficult job look impossible.
He needs a change of scenery because the weight of that United shirt just looks too heavy on him as it stands. This was a new low despite being a friendly fixture.