Manchester United’s young guns stole the show as the team secured a 3-1 comeback victory over Hong Kong in the final match of their post-season Asian tour, powered by standout performances from academy prospects Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven.
The friendly match, played on Friday, offered fans a glimpse of United’s potential future as the club shifts focus toward squad rebuilding over the summer.
The match started on an uncertain note for United, who trailed 1-0 at halftime after Juninho gave the hosts an early lead.
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Manager Ruben Amorim, experimenting with squad rotation, fielded senior players including Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Garnacho, and Rasmus Hojlund before making sweeping changes at the break.
It was 17-year-old striker Chido Obi who stole the show after the restart. The promising forward netted twice, showcasing sharp instincts and a powerful presence in front of goal furthering comparisons to a young Marcus Rashford.
Obi’s brace turned the tide in United’s favor and raised questions about whether he should feature more prominently next season.
The win was sealed by fellow youngster Ayden Heaven, who headed in United’s third goal following a pinpoint cross from Amad Diallo. Heaven, a recent arrival from Arsenal’s Hale End academy, has quickly impressed Amorim and looks set for more first-team minutes if his development continues at this pace.
United’s performance marked a significant improvement from their earlier tour loss to the ASEAN All-Stars, which drew boos from fans. Amorim viewed the tour as a valuable exercise despite the initial setback, praising the team’s sharper energy and resilience against Hong Kong, especially after dealing with long-haul travel and fatigue.
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As United prepare for a crucial off-season, attention now turns to the futures of key players like Bruno Fernandes, who is reportedly considering a move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the emergence of talents like Obi and Heaven could influence the club’s transfer strategy, particularly with doubts surrounding the effectiveness of senior strikers like Hojlund and the failed pursuit of Liam Delap.
