It’s finally over. Manchester United’s 2024-25 season is at an end, with the second of two postseason friendlies complete.
With a lucrative £8 million earned from the postseason tour, the financial need to fly to Malaysia and Hong Kong overrode all other concerns.
With the second friendly against Hong Kong wrapped up, the players can now begin their holidays, or head off on international duty.
Let’s take a look at the winners and losers from the 3-1 friendly victory vs Hong Kong.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Winners
Ruben Amorim: The main objective to this tour from a squad perspective was not actually to win these games. The most important aspect was to emerge injury-free.
This would have turned into a total nightmare if a key player had suffered an injury on a below-standard pitch that ruled them out for the start of next season or beyond.
Thankfully for head coach Ruben Amorim, United’s players emerged with a full bill if health, just a little more tired and exhausted from this miserable season.
Chido Obi: This will not count towards any official tally, but Chido Obi can now say he has scored for Manchester United’s first team.
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The prolific academy striker had a handful of opportunities in the first team at the end of last season and looked bright, but did not manage to hit the back of the net.
Obi seized his opportunity against Hong Kong, smashing in a low effort from the edge of the box just four minutes after coming on.
He then scored a header to give United the lead later in the half, showing the striker’s instincts that led to him dominating youth level.
This will be a major boost to his confidence, and he can be expected to play a big role in pre-season.
Manuel Ugarte: Snubbed entirely in the Europa League Final, there are questions over how much Ruben Amorim believes in the Uruguayan.
Manuel Ugarte responded to his disappointment with a forceful display in the second half to help United turn this game around. He ended up with the assist for Obi’s first goal by winning the ball back on the edge of the box.
Mason Mount: Mason Mount turned in an eye-catching performance for Manchester United in the second half of this game to show what he is capable of.
Mount came close to scoring from long range, should have had a penalty when he was felled in the box, and was a threat from set pieces.
It was his cross into the box from open play that created Obi’s winner, with the striker smartly heading the ball across goal into the bottom corner.
Ayden Heaven: Another acquisition from Arsenal like Chido Obi, Ayden Heaven scored his first goal in a Manchester United shirt.
Heaven scored a header in the 90th minute after a cross from Amad, to cap a promising start to his Manchester United career. He is another very promising prospect.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Losers
Tom Heaton: Manchester United’s third choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton is only usually seen in pre-season games, where he has been very reliable. Not this time.
Heaton will be disappointed with his goalkeeping for Hong Kong’s opening goal where the ball squirmed underneath him at the near post. When opportunities are this rare, you must do better.
Rasmus Hojlund: Chido Obi’s excellent performance has well and truly put Rasmus Hojlund on notice. But even in the first half he did not help himself.
Hojlund offered no goal threat and when he did receive the ball inside the penalty box, his poor touch let him down. This part for the course, totally expected at this point, sadly.