1 day ago
82
CHIDO-OBI spared Manchester United’s blushes after his brace completed a 3-1 comeback win against Hong Kong.
But Tom Heaton’s disastrous clanger almost caused back-to-back postseason defeats in Asia, with United losing to ASEAN All-Stars on Wednesday.
Getty
ReutersThe Red Devils dominated the early exchanges, before Heaton’s shocking howler saw United 1-0 down against the run of play.
Brazilian-born Juninho was played in behind, before his low shot somehow wriggled under Heaton at the front post.
The goal took the wind out of United’s sails, as they carried on the trend of their heads going down after conceding early.
Amorim had seen enough and changed the entire XI at half-time before Obi’s first senior goal levelled the scores within four minutes.
The sensational teen saved Amorim’s skin after doubling the lead in the last ten minutes, before Ayden Heaven‘s header made it 3-1.
Hong Kong, who are just above Moldova in the Fifa world rankings, scored from ONE shot at goal – United failed to do so in 15 first-half attempts.
For now fans can be thankful that United won’t be back in action until pre-season. Hopefully they shift the deadwood by then.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the Man Utd performances against Hong Kong -who are ranked 153 in the world.
Tom Heaton – 0
The veteran goalkeeper, 39, proved why he shouldn’t be given a one-year extension this summer– even if it’s in a coaching capacity.
His blunder came with his first touch of the ball, when Juninho’s limp shot – straight at him – bounced into the net.
Heaton was expected leave as a free agent and possibly even hang up his gloves when his £45,000-a-week contract expires this summer.
And he should go, even if it was his final game. Awful.
Tyler Fredricson – 4
Unfortunate not have equalised when he slipped through defenders to guide a header down straight into the Hong Kong goalkeeper.
Got his positioning run for Hong Kong’s opener.
GettyJonny Evans – 4
What a sorry way to end your footballing career. Evans won’t play for United again.
And the Northern Irishman didn’t have a lot to do here. It feels harsh because the 37-year-old has been a brilliant professional.
Godwill Kukonki – 5
The 17-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent didn’t get close enough to block or put off goalscorer Juninho.
He wasn’t asked to do much else. Was always the first of the back line of defenders to react to any loose ball in United’s own final third.
Jaydan Kamason – 5
Was awarded his first start after a decent 20 minute cameo the defeat to ASEAN All-Stars on Wednesday.
The right-back, 18, showed Diogo Dalot how to cross a good ball.
Was unlucky to have his late arriving shot cleared off the line in the 37th minute.
United come close to a leveller!
Watch our game against Hong Kong, China, LIVE 
#MUFC || #MUTOUR25
Harry Amass – 5
Didn’t feature in the defeat in Malaysia, but started brightly here.
Before a few wayward crosses left Amorim grimacing.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
The man of the moment perhaps took the armband for the final time with £100million links to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal ramping up.
He’s the player fans in Hong Kong came to see, sending a delicious free-kick into his midfield pal early on.
The Portugal star showboated to treat the crowd when his cheeky rabona shot was kept out by the keeper.
Tested the goalkeeper with a free-kick on the slippery surface again, before it was parried out for a corner. Linked up well with Garnacho.
But for a player who has worked so hard all season, you’ve got to feel sorry for him playing 6,000 miles away a few days after the final day.
Bruno Fernandes could’ve worn the Man Utd armband for the final timeCasemiro – 4
The 33-year-old just wants to be on his holidays after a topsy-turvy individual season.
He played his way back into United’s good-books since the Lyon comeback, but was out-paced by a fast teenager in the opening seconds.
The recently recalled Brazilian international had a gliding header ruled out in the fourth minute from Fernandes’ set piece.
Brilliant bit of skill for an Amass chance before 1-0.
Alejandro Garnacho – 5
Could’ve been Garnacho’s last game for the club too. Perhaps it shouldn’t be because he was the brightest spark here.
The 20-year-old rowing with Amorim threatened to be up to usual tricks, or lack thereof, failing to beat his man in the opening minute.
But the Chelsea target soon settled and flashed several inviting balls across the box and was involved in all of the action.
Shea Lacey – 6
The 18-year-old winger from Liverpool did well to win the free-kick Casemiro scored from early on, and he won another a few minutes later.
But he scuffed a certain goal wide of the post from Garnacho’s cross in the 15th minute.
Silky footwork and a willingness to get forward, Lacey looks like he could be a bright spark for the future at Old Trafford.
Was hooked for Tyler Fletcher on the half-an-hour-mark.
GettyRasmus Hojlund – 1
Fluffed half a chance in the opening minutes and was anonymous.
When finally called upon, the Dane failed to control Fernandes’ blocked rabona, before Kamason’s shot was cleared off the line.
FIRST-HALF SUBS
Tyler Fletcher – (for Lacey ’27) – 5
Man United legend Darren Fletcher‘s son couldn’t get hold of the ball much.
Sekou Kone (for Casemiro ’27) – 5
Powered forward and has go at goal from outside the box but it flies wide of the post.
Joined Fletcher in lasting 15 minutes before being part of the half-time changes.
HALF-TIME SUBS
Chido Obi – 8
His first goal for Amorim was a tidy finish in the 49th minute.
The teenager took two touches with the ball to his right and lashed a shot into the back of the net on his weak foot.
Obi completed the comeback with a direct header into the corner in the 82nd minute.
GettyAltay Bayindir – 6
Didn’t have to much before his low save kept the home side out in the 68th minute.
Ayden Heaven –
In the second-half, Heaven became the most experienced centre-back on the pitch for United – he’s 18.
The former Arsenal man was confident enough to step into that role and looks like a talent for the future.
He joined Obi in getting on the scoresheet for the first time, with a well-placed header in the final minute of added time.
Dan Armer – 5
Scotland Under-19 international centre-back picked up valuable experience again.
Jim Thwaites, who saved United from losing 2-0 on Wednesday, replaced Armer inside 72 minutes.
Amad Diallo – 6
Amad knows he’s been one of the few bright sparks for United this season and he played like it too.
It wasn’t his usual display of blistering pace and hard work, but rather a tame effort to help the team while avoiding injury.
Toby Collyer – 5
Collyer has been one of the Carrington stars that has been in and around the first team for a while, and it’s obvious why.
He looks like he’s ready to make a more regular step up to first team football and could be a part of the squad rotations next season.
Made way for Jack Moorhouse in the 73rd minute.
Manuel Ugarte – 4
Ugarte poked the ball to Obi in the penalty area for the equaliser.
Was a big part of United winning the ball back high up in the second half. But so he should be, he was the most experienced on the pitch.
Patrick Dorgu – 5
Unlucky not to have won a penalty in the opening seconds of the second-half.
Mason Mount – 6
Denied the chance to put United 2-1 up when the keeper brilliantly saved in the 55th minute.
Great delivery from a free-kick which blasted past the goal-line in the 66th minute. Bagged a brilliant assist with a floating ball for Obi’s second.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4
Mainoo was United’s starboy and England’s best holding midfielder at the Euros.
He’ll be annoyed not to get minutes in his favoured position, instead struggling as one of the two No 10s in Amorim’s 3-4-3.
Mainoo looks shot for confidence and fluffed a chance in the 75th minute.
Fans will be worried about the Manchester-born ace leaving this summer.
Bengali (BD) · 
English (US) ·