It was a dull affair when Manchester United met the ASEAN All-Stars side on Wednesday afternoon in Kuala Lumpur.
The game saw Manchester United guilty of all the same problems that frustrated fans throughout the 2024-25 season.
During the 1-0 defeat to ASEAN All-Stars, there was no cutting edge from Ruben Amorim’s side, who played with possession but failed to do much with it.
The opposition set up to defend early, and managed to hurt United on the counter more than once, in a game they will be disappointed not to have scored more in.
Despite the disappointing performance, which led to United being booed off by the Malaysian supporters, there were some positives to take.
United had a handful of standout performers, as the academy players stepped up and took the spotlight from their senior teammates.
Jim Thwaites will have left an impression on Ruben Amorim
Despite almost the entire United team getting a run out, it was the academy that shone.
Chido Obi outclassed Rasmus Hojlund up top, while Shea Lacey and Sekou Kone were the best players on the pitch.
Another to impress was 17-year-old Jim Thwaites, who was the final substitute made by Amorim on the night.
Thwaites may have had to wait for his chance, but he took it when it came. Thwaites played really well and didn’t look out of place, but it was in the 90th minute that he caught the eye with a lung-bursting run, which he ended with a perfect tackle in the box to deny ASEAN All-Stars a second goal.
On MUTV, Ben Thornley couldn’t help but rave about this intervention from Thwaites, claiming it will have stuck in Amorim’s mind.
“What a tackle that is. He slides in brilliant, brilliant from Jim Thwaites. That is not easy to do, and it will leave a mark on Ruben Amorim as the minutes tick by.
“Ruben Amorim will remember that, something so late in the game sticks in the manager’s mind, I am sure.”
Jim Thwaites can be Ruben Amorim’s replacement for Christian Eriksen
Thwaites’ performance was a micro-dose of what we can expect from the industrious yet technically blessed midfielder.
At 17, Thwaites has all the qualities needed to replace Christian Eriksen in Amorim’s team, with his creativity and set-piece ability among his many standout traits.
Thwaites works incredibly hard, which is a prerequisite to thrive under Amorim, while he couples his work ethic with excellent ability on the ball.
Without a doubt, one of the most exciting talents at the club, and this performance was just a glimpse into what he can offer United, Amorim will be impressed.
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