Ruben Amorim will quickly want to forget Manchester United’s latest loss for it meant nothing in the grand scheme of things this season but something has fundamentally changed after it.
The manner of Man Utd’s 0-1 loss to Wolves was a microcosm of the club’s lowest hits this season.
From bossing possession and territory to creating, and then wasting all of their chances, only to be outdone by the opposition’s one moment sums up this season.
Ruben Amorim has so far been extremely patient with the team and sympathised with their struggles and his words gave the same message after this loss.
However, his demeanour looked like that of a man who finally had enough. In the process, a player who didn’t even start has become undeniable.
Man Utd’s undeniable player
This game might quickly be forgotten but for two players – Tyler Fredricson shone on debut while Harry Amass showed he belongs at this level.
However, both started the game so Amorim already had a degree of trust in their abilities, especially Fredricson, since someone like Leny Yoro was rested for him.
The same can’t be said for the player up top, as Rasmus Hojlund started again and struggled immensely, again.
Hojlund is stuck in a vicious cycle and that continued here as he fluffed numerous chances but his evening got worse when he came off.
That is because Chido Obi, who came on for him, cleared the Dane’s display despite playing just under 30 minutes.
He looked sharper in and around the box, showed great hold-up play and knit the game together which fashioned chances for his teammates.
With Joshua Zirkzee’s injury and Hojlund’s bad form, it’s time Chido Obi is trusted with a starting berth. He didn’t start but Hojlund’s performance plus his own cameo should make him undeniable going forward.
Chido Obi’s promotion will help Rasmus Hojlund
Hojlund shouldn’t take this as a “demotion” because Chido Obi is ineligible for Europa League, so the Danish striker will play the most consequential games.
Furthermore, he could use some time away from the limelight while Obi gets to grips with senior football, hopefully providing him some competition that improves him as well.
The remaining five Premier League games are a free hit for Man Utd and their worst case scenario would be Hojlund going into Europe on the back of his confidence being zero, courtesy of poor league games.
Therefore, Obi will not only benefit from senior game time, but it will also help Hojlund reset and refresh his mindset as the weight of his form is bearing heavy on him.
Obi might not have started, but it would be a huge surprise if the same happens again between now and the end of the season.
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