Teenager Chido Obi’s first senior goals for Manchester United helped Ruben Amorim’s Reds pull the curtain down on their money-spinning post-season tour in Asia with a 3-1 comeback triumph against Hong Kong.
Last week’s Europa League final defeat to fellow Premier League strugglers Tottenham Hotspur compounded the Manchester United’s worst top-flight campaign since bagging relegation 51 years ago.
In the Uefa Europa League 2024/25 final, Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur defeated Manchester United by a lone goal at Estadio San Mamés, Bilbao – home ground of Spanish La Liga side, Athletic Club.
The only goal of the encounter was netted for the Spurs by Brennan Johnson.
Immediately after Sunday’s game against Aston Villa, United travelled to Asia straight, for a pair of friendlies, which are worth in the region of £8m for a club facing a first season without European football since 2014-15.
The former Sporting CP manager’s Reds were booed on Wednesday after losing by a lone goal to the ASEAN All-Stars in Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur and returned to action in challenging conditions at the Hong Kong Stadium two (2) days later.
Jonny Evans, who is departing the club, made his last appearance for the club in a side that fielded captain Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho, who both started in the midst of widespread speculation over their respective futures.
From the get-go, Manchester United dominated, however, like so often this season, an inability to take their chances was punished as Juninho put Hong Kong ahead against the run of play with a shot that squirmed past Tom Heaton in the 19th minute.
The English Premier League side emerged for the second half with an completely different line-up and 17-year-old substitute, Chido Obi, equalized with a fine touch and finish in the 50th minute.
Former Chelsea midfielder, Mason Mount, was denied a penalty as the clock wound down and provided a fine 82nd-minute cross that was well converted by striker Obi.
Like Obi who joined United from Arsenal, Ayden Heaven, sealed the victory against Hong Kong with a stoppage-time header.
In his post-Hong Kong comments, Amorim said: “we really enjoy the people [in Asia]. They are really lovely and really respectful.
“We want to return with more time but with more titles and better results.”
