It would be foolish to draw too many conclusions from a post-season friendly fixture three days after a competitive game but one thing was clear against ASEAN All-Stars.
Man Utd’s 1-0 loss to ASEAN All-Stars was a microcosm of the season, giving the Malaysian fans a proper “Man Utd 2024/25 experience”.
They huffed and puffed to no avail, as they were undone again by a deep block, unable to break through while looking suspect on the counter.
Ruben Amorim was impressed by the youngsters, and it’s time he plays one for the full game instead of the 52-appearance star who reached a new low against ASEAN All-Stars.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Ruben Amorim needs to drop Rasmus Hojlund
For starters, it was difficult to understand why Rasmus Hojlund was even starting the game against ASEAN All-Stars in the first place.
Hojlund has made 52 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring just 10, and somehow playing even worse than what that stat suggests.
Therefore, there was really no need for Amorim to play Hojlund there, especially since he’s the subject of transfer talks at the moment.
Chido Obi outshone Hojlund again during his time on the pitch, which wasn’t a high bar to clear because Hojlund struggled immensely against an opposition that wasn’t elite, to put it kindly.
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Amorim has backed Hojlund previously, saying that the only way to get back into form is by playing through a bad patch, but the Danish striker is finding new lows with every game.
Getting bullied by a team put together literally for this game alone has to be the final straw.
Dropping Hojlund sends message to Ineos
Ineos can be blamed for many things but one of the things they deserve credit for is their work in the transfer window.
Last summer’s signings have all proven successful to varying degrees while this summer window has kicked off with the signing of Matheus Cunha.
However, Hojlund’s performance vs ASEAN All-Stars proved again that it will all be for nothing unless United buy his replacement up top.
United have been linked to Liam Delap but that’s a tricky race, especially now that rivals Chelsea have qualified for the Champions League next season
The scariest thing is that there have been no alternatives mentioned in case United lose out on Delap, with Viktor Gyokeres unlikely and Victor Osimhen far too expensive.
Amorim needs to nudge Ineos into urgent action by not using Hojlund at all in their next and final post-season game against Hong Kong.
A clear message needs to be sent that United are better off playing without a striker, or a 17-year-old Chido Obi, rather than have Hojlund up front.