Ruben Amorim thought he had two-horse race for key Man Utd place, a third player ended the debate

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Manchester United are now out of two competitions and the league season is a write-off, with the Europa League glory looking far off considering current form.

While that is indeed a bleak outlook on the season that once started in encouraging fashion following a £200 million transfer splurge, not all is doom and gloom.

Ruben Amorim might not be getting the results he wanted, far from it, but these months of adversity would have told him a lot about the Man Utd squad.

Most importantly, his options for next season are getting clearer, with a particularly interesting thing happening with a key position in the team.

Ruben Amorim’s unexpected solution to Man Utd dilemma

Amorim took over a team not even remotely suited to his style of play, but instead of accommodating, he has chosen to stick with it and hope it pays off long term.

In the process, there have been some clear winners and losers, with players like Bruno Fernandes again showing their adaptability, while others, like Kobbie Mainoo, having to find new roles.

He has barely had any options for the fullback role so the main “rivalry” in terms of a single position has been up top for the striker role.

Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund were the two clear candidates for the spot, with Hojlund looking like the favourite based on Amorim’s use of Gyokeres at Sporting.

Fast-forward four months, Hojlund is struggling immensely while his rival for the spot, Zirkzee is a No. 10 now!

Just like that, Amorim was forced into a position where his “two-horse race” needed a third man to step up and take that position by the scruff of its neck.

Chido Obi is the answer to Man Utd problem

Obi has cumulatively played less than 90 minutes for the Man Utd senior team so there’s a need to not get carried away with the youngster.

Having said that, his cameos have gotten increasingly better, with Obi’s performance vs Fulham his best one yet against the sort of physical defenders Hojlund struggles against.

Obi impressed striking legends Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer after the game and his impact in contrast to Hojlund was striking.

Amorim is unlikely to throw him straight into the deep end going forward but after the Fulham game, he has emerged as a genuine competitor for Hojlund.

More importantly, considering Hojlund’s form, Obi might end up as the third man who ends the debate of the two-horse race at the start of the season.