Manchester United’s defence of the FA Cup ended on Sunday as they crashed out in the fifth round following a 3-4 penalty shootout defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford.
Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee were the players to miss their spot-kicks while Andre Onana did not even come close to saving one. The match had ended 1-1 in regulation time.
Ruben Amorim’s decision to start Rasmus Hojlund backfired yet again as the 22-year-old put in yet another anonymous display up front.
He has not scored in 18 games now and soon after he was hooked in the 68th minute, the hosts equalised through Bruno Fernandes.
Rasmus cannot keep starting games
The Dane completed only two passes, ending with a 50 per cent accuracy and only had one shot, which went off target. Both his dribble attempts were unsuccessful.
Off the ball, he managed to win 0 ground duels and won only one of three aerial duels. The former Atalanta starlet also lost the ball five times.
There were loud cheers when the board went up to signal the end of his evening with the head coach throwing in Chido Obi in Hojlund’s place.
The 17-year-old proved why he deserves to start ahead of his compatriot, impressing with his back-to-goal and also with his predatory instincts inside the box.
Chido Obi had 3 big chances in 52 minutes today. For comparison, Rasmus Højlund has had 3 big chances in 22 Premier League matches this season.
First start incoming? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/SPmIWC6OmO
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 2, 2025
Despite playing 16 minutes less, the Carrington graduate had three shots, with one of them being superbly saved by Bernd Leno in the Fulham goal.
The ex-Arsenal ace fought off both his markers to make space and tried to open up his body but was denied. He also completed both his attempted dribbles.
Chido was much better
The young sensation had twice the number of touches and completed 80% of his passes while winning three ground duels out of six and one aerial duel out of two (all stats via sofascore).
As Statman Dave pointed out on X, Chido Obi had three big chances and in comparison, Højlund has had the same number of big chances in 22 Premier League matches this season.
It is clear that he is a much better option up front but whether Amorim will start him remains to be seen. The Europa League now represents United’s last shot at silverware and qualifying for Europe.
Surely the head coach will be more brave and go for the jugular straight from the off? Only time will tell.
Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
