Man Utd ratings: Kobbie Mainoo and Shea Lacey bright sparks in dismal performance that sees Hojlund flop once again

The Sun

6 days ago

MANCHESTER UNITED'S stars thought their embarrassing season was over, but the ASEAN All Stars left them even more red-faced than Tottenham.
The Red Devils played cautiously plodded their way to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the cobbled together Asian side in a humid 90 minute match in Kuala Lumpur.
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Ruben Amorim gave 26 different players a run out in their un-needed post-season tour opener after the club's worst ever Premier League campaign was wrapped up at the weekend.
It was a goal from Maung Maung Lwin that was the difference as the All-Star side patiently waited for their chance against a lacklustre United showing.
Amorim won't be too upset at defeat in what is ultimately a glorified way of adding some pennies to his transfer kitty and getting a look at some youngsters on the books.
Here's how SunSport's Joshua Hall rated the Man Utd perdormances...
ANDRE ONANA - 6
Had very little to do for the 45 minutes he played.
Called upon once or twice and did enough to keep the opposition out.
DIOGO DALOT - 3
Really didn't do anything of note in the half an hour he was on the pitch.
Perhaps his biggest impact was regularly leaving the teenage centre-half next to him without any help.
Not his best showing at all.
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HARRY MAGUIRE - 7
Looked the most settled payer of the starting centre-back trio, which was no surprise as he lined up with 18-year-old's either side of him.
Took it upon himself to play some line-splitting passes in the knowledge that he was going to have step up alongside the teens for the short 31 minutes he played in.
Hard to remember the last Maguire played as badly as people would like to tell you he does - consistently solid.
AYDEN HEAVEN - 7
After 30 minutes 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.
Used his body very well and was always the first of the back line of defenders to react to any loose ball in United's own final third.
REECE MUNRO - 4
Showed his inexperience with some cheap fouls in the opening 10 minutes when players were able to skip past him.
The 18-year-old also failed to close down the all-stars attack quickly enough on a number of occasions.
PATRICK DORGU - 7
Perhaps the only first-term player that looked like he wanted to play at the intensity of a competitive match.
The wing-back was regularly caning down the flank to try and get in behind, as well as tracking back to try and win the ball.
Since he's come in to United in January it's been hard to say he's been used properly by his manager or his teammates, but the signs are there that he could success next term.
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CASEMIRO - 6
This was a game played at a pace suited to a player like Casemiro, slow build up that gives him time to make an impact.
Unfortunately, nobody was moving off the ball to allow him to do so.
Substituted on 31 minutes ahead of his return to the Brazil squad.
KOBBIE MAINOO - 7
A special moment for the midfielder who was handed the captain's armband when Harry Maguire was subbed off.
His feet are always impressive and he always looked one of the more likely players to make something happen.
The final finish and end product weren't quite there today, but that's to be expected in such an unusual friendly situation.
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MANUEL UGARTE - 6
Advancing the ball much quicker than he has been since joining United.
Played a few nice sweeping passes out wide to try and get the wing-backs in behind.
United fans will be hoping they see more progression from his next season
JACK MOORHOUSE - 6
Looked comfortable on the ball every time it came to him.
Clearly very confident in possession and looking to make things happen from central positions.
Unfortunately there was only 30 minutes to look at the 19-year-old, hopefully he will get a chance to shine against Hong Kong later this week.
RASMUS HOJLUND - 2
If there was ever an example of how important confidence is then the first half of this match showed it.
As much as some people might tell you differently, Hojlund is definitely better than the level he was facing today.
However, he didn't show it. The out-of-form striker was regularly losing possession and rarely got into a position to even receive the ball in a dangerous position, never mind scoring.
He's better than that, but with his confidence so low you won't see it any time soon.
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SUBS
SHEA LACEY (for Moorhouse, 31min) - 7
Silky footwork and a willingness to get forward, Shea Lacey looks like he could be a bright spark for the future at Old Trafford.
When teams find themselves in dire situations it's often academy prospects that step up and shine - think Bukayo Saka at Arsenal, Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham at Chelsea and Pedri and Gavi at a cash-strapped Barcelona.
That's not to say that Lacey will follow in their footsteps, but he looks like he has enough talent to have a crack at breaking into this struggling United side.
That said, he did only play 14 minutes.
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BRUNO FERNANDES - 8
Even when the best players aren't trying they still manage to show their class.
Bruno Fernandes wasn't trying to force the issue like he normally has to in this Man Utd team, but still managed some classy moments and silky touches - notably a Rabona pass to Alejandro Garnacho.
The debate will run on in the coming weeks about if Fernandes is going to leave for Saudi Arabia.
It's safe to say that if he does leave, United will be losing their best player by some margin.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO - 6
He's been told he can leave the club - but not before being made to play 45 minutes of painfully dull football in 30 degree heat in Kuala Lumpur.
A few decent runs in behind, but most players didn't want to play this game - never mind one that is very unlikely to be coming back after the summer break.
JONNY EVANS - 5
Didn't cover himself in glory when the All-Stars got their goal, leaving his young centre-back partner Godwill Kukonki to cover the goalscorer all alone.
Evans is essentially using this tour as a farewell tour given his impending exit from the club.
TOBY COLLYER - 7
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 under Amorim next season.
It's not just his confidence on the ball, but his ability to help win it back too.
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.
Not his best, but not his worst.
CHIDO OBI - 5
Much has been made of the goal-scoring youngster since his high-profile move from Arsenal this season.
While he found himself in a few good positions throughout the second half, Obi was often unable to get the ball out of his feet quick enough to get off a meaningful shot.
Once he sorts that out he could be really dangerous.
JIM THWAITES - 7
At just 17 years old, Jim Thwaites had to be the one to prevent United from falling to a 2-0 defeat to their minnow opponents.
The youngster bust a lung to get back in the final minute and pull off a sensational slide tackle to prevent a certain goal.
Jayden Kamason, Daniel Armer, Sekou Kone, Tyler Fletcher, Godwill Kukonki, Tom Heaton, Tyler Fredricson.