Winning end to Man United's post season tour

Hong Kong, China 1 - 3 Manchester United

Manchester United were forced to come from behind but won the second game of their post-season tour, 3-1 against Hong Kong, China.

Author | Olivia T

Juninho scored for the home side on a rare foray forward to hand them a half-time lead but, after the entire Reds eleven was changed at the break, one of the substitutes took centre stage.

Chido Obi then delivered his first goals at senior level to turn the friendly around, with the winner coming in the 82nd minute of a game played in driving rain at the Hong Kong Stadium.

To wrap things up, Ayden Heaven also grabbed his maiden Reds goal in stoppage time. This ensured a winning end to the post-season tour and signed off for the 2024/25 campaign on a positive note for Manchester United.

A closer look at what happened

Keen to make a statement to their Hong Kong supporters, Manchester United set out to dominate from the outset, pinning the hosts deep in their own half.

Bruno Fernandes lofted a deft long ball towards Rasmus Højlund, who weaved past two defenders but saw his close-range effort well saved by the goalkeeper.

Just five minutes in, United thought they had found an early breakthrough. Casemiro met a Fernandes free-kick with a diving header that found the net, only for the assistant referee to flag for offside.

Seven minutes later, Fernandes had another opportunity from a set piece. His free-kick was well struck but palmed away for a corner. While the initial delivery failed to create a clear chance, the second effort fell to Alejandro Garnacho, whose low strike at the near post was once again kept out by the impressive Ka Wing Tse.

Garnacho remained a constant threat, surging down the left and squaring the ball for Shea Lacey, who fired narrowly wide. United were on top but had yet to make it count.

Then came the sucker punch. Against the run of play, Hong Kong took the lead. In the 19th minute, Brazilian forward Juninho burst into the area and rifled a shot into the bottom corner, giving Tom Heaton no chance. It was Hong Kong's first real attempt, and it was taken with aplomb.

Lacey's evening ended in the 27th minute as he made way for Tyler Robert Fletcher. Casemiro was also withdrawn, replaced by Sekou Kone.

United kept pushing. In the 35th minute, they peppered the Hong Kong goal with a flurry of efforts. Fernandes attempted an audacious rabona, drawing another solid save from Tse. Despite their relentless pressure, the equaliser remained elusive.

Garnacho, heavily marked throughout, somehow wriggled into the box and fired a shot from the left, only for Tse to deny him once more.

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Manager Rúben Amorim took the interval as a chance to rethink, making wholesale changes as United emerged with an entirely new eleven for the second half.

The impact was immediate. Just four minutes after the restart, Kobbie Mainoo played in Manuel Ugarte, who was fouled on the edge of the area. However, he had already released the ball to Obi, who spun smartly away from his marker and finished confidently with his left foot into the far corner.

United continued to probe. In the 66th minute, Mason Mount curled in a dangerous ball that skimmed just wide. It only needed the faintest of touches to turn it into a goal.

With nine minutes remaining, United finally went ahead. Mount delivered a pinpoint cross and Obi, again the man of the moment, rose to head home and complete the turnaround.

There was still time for a third. Just before the final whistle, Heaven latched onto a dangerous cross and added United's third of the evening to cap off the comeback.