Five things noticed as Manchester United fell to a 1-0 loss against ASEAN All-Stars in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during the first of two post-season friendly fixtures.
Rúben Amorim opted to field a mixed team of Academy graduates and first-team players as Manchester United faced the ASEAN All-Stars in the first of two pre-season friendlies, which took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The tie started with ASEAN looking to impose an attacking threat on United’s back line. However, Amorim’s senior players, such as Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo, soon looked to take control of the tie.
Youngsters such as Jack Moorhouse, Sekou Kone, and Shea Lacey impressed in the opening 45 minutes, with Mainoo going close and having a shot blocked off the line, although neither side was able to break the deadlock before half-time.
For the second half, Amorim made further changes to give more Academy players playing time. However, it was the home side who opened the scoring, with a laser finish from Maung Maung Lwin flying past goalkeeper Tom Heaton with 20 minutes to play.
United tried their best to break down ASEAN’s staunch back line for the final moments of the tie, but a lack of imagination from Amorim’s men saw the club fall to a 1-0 defeat in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
#1 – Amorim’s major tactical switch in the first half
With United often playing with two wide attacking midfielders behind the striker, it was interesting to see just how often Mainoo was spotted playing fairly centrally behind Rasmus Højlund.
With the midfielder playing inside the pitch, this allowed Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu to play an incredibly high line, effectively adding another attacking option to United’s front line.
It was a similar setup that fans saw against Aston Villa on the weekend, hinting at a significant tactical switch Amorim is considering ahead of next season, which could see Mainoo become much more involved.
#2 – Early changes allowing youth to thrive
Amorim chose to make changes after 30 minutes of the friendly tie, allowing those such as Lacey and Kone to have their first taste of senior football, with Moorhouse coming off despite a good half an hour on the right flank.
Kone, Lacey, and Jaydan Kamason were very lively when they came on, with Kone in particular impressing in the midfield two alongside Ugarte after the Mali-born teen replaced Casemiro before the end of the first half.
For the second 45 minutes, a further number of young players were introduced, including some more familiar faces like Harry Amass and Toby Collyer, with the only positive for United being the performances of some of United’s young players.
#3 – Højlund embarrassed by Obi’s second-half performance
Although United were playing a much inferior opposition, it was shocking to see that United striker Højlund still failed to look like any significant threat during his “horrible” 45 minutes up front during the first half.
The Danish international failed to take any threatening shot on goal, while also not connecting with his teammates through wayward passes and runs that ended multiple attacking scenarios.
In contrast, once 17-year-old Academy graduate Chido Obi entered the fray in the second half, the young striker looked much sharper, quicker, and threatening in the box. Despite not scoring either, Obi’s overall display will be an embarrassing one for Højlund to witness, considering his own failings.
#4 – United’s story of the season was on display once again
As has been the letter of the law for United for a lot of this campaign, United lacked the necessary penetration needed to score past the ASEAN defensive line.
Bar specific fixtures, United have spent this whole season with a lack of imagination up front, continually trying again and again to break down the wall of players in front of them with sideways passes and static movement.
Hopefully, with the pending arrival of Matheus Cunha and the hopeful signings of a new striker and a further attacking midfielder, this will change.
#5 – One game to go before the season is over
With United having now completed the Malaysia section of their post-season tour, they will now fly to play Hong Kong in Hong Kong, China, before heading back to England.
The post-season tour is, more than anything, a positive PR stunt for the club to raise their profile in Southeast Asia and make around £8 million to help balance the costs of such a dire season, and there is now just one fixture left until it’s over.
This season has been more than tough on United fans and a laughing stock for the rest of world football, and this loss only adds to what is a season to forget for the club.
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