Rasmus Højlund Fumes at Dalot as Manchester United's Pre-Season Gets Off to Frustrating Start Against Leeds

Manchester United’s pre-season got off to a flat and frustrating start after a goalless draw against newly-promoted Leeds United on Saturday — and tensions on the pitch were impossible to ignore.

In a game that lacked real excitement or creativity, striker Rasmus Højlund once again cut a frustrated figure up front. The Danish forward, who scored just 10 goals in 52 appearances last season (with only four in the Premier League), was clearly eager to start this new campaign on a better note. But instead, what fans witnessed in Stockholm was more of the same – missed chances, poor communication, and visible anger from the 21-year-old.

“For F***’s Sake!” – Højlund’s Furious Outburst

One particular moment summed up the striker’s mood. During the first half, Højlund made a smart run behind the Leeds defence, expecting a quick through ball from Diogo Dalot. But the pass came far too late, and Højlund would have been offside had it reached him.

Clearly annoyed, he didn’t hold back — shouting “F*** sake” toward Dalot, who didn’t even acknowledge the outburst and jogged away.

The tension didn’t end there. Later in the game, Dalot whipped in a cross that Højlund managed to get his head on, only for the effort to be deflected. Still unsatisfied, the young striker could be seen complaining again when Dalot chose to pass to youngster Patrick Dorgu instead of feeding him a second time.

A Familiar Pattern for United

This lack of chemistry between teammates was a major theme of United’s disappointing 2024/25 campaign, where they finished 15th in the Premier League. And judging by Saturday’s draw, those problems haven’t gone away yet.

United’s manager Rúben Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag at the end of last season, now faces a crucial pre-season to get the team ready. The Portuguese boss didn’t seem too worried about the small on-field arguments but admitted there’s a lot of work to do.

“The environment is really good,” Amorim told MUTV. “Of course sometimes we are going to struggle, but what I felt in the first moment is that if we are going to struggle, we will struggle together. That is the beginning of everything.”

He added:

“This club is not just about the effort, it’s about the quality — we have to win games.”

Missing Stars, New Faces

Amorim’s squad is far from complete. Big names like Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, and Alejandro Garnacho were all left out, reportedly due to disciplinary or personal issues. That meant more minutes for some of the newer faces — including United’s £62.5million signing Matheus Cunha.

The former Wolves forward was one of the very few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable game. Cunha looked sharp and hungry, showing good movement between the lines and linking up decently in patches.

“Matheus Cunha showed what we need — a player in between the lines who is really aggressive,” Amorim said. “You can see the connection with him and Bruno Fernandes is still not there. But it will be a good connection, because you can put a player like Kobbie Mainoo or Mason Mount there.”

Amorim Points Out the Real Issue

For all of United’s energy and pressing, they created very few real chances. Amorim was quick to identify the root of the problem.

“We have a lack of pace,” he admitted. “Especially in the middle of the park, you can feel it’s hard to bring the ball. We created chances. We have a lot to do but it was a first test against a Premier League team with two different teams, a good test.”

The midfield lacked urgency and struggled to move the ball quickly enough to trouble Leeds, who were more organised than many expected. With Bruno Fernandes struggling to influence the game and limited movement from the flanks, United’s attacks were often too slow and predictable.

Make or Break Pre-Season for United

For Amorim, this pre-season tour — including matches in the United States — is not just about fitness. It’s about building a team that can finally play with identity and confidence again.

“We need to create that bond between everybody – not just between the players but the staff,” he said. “We need to leave that as a group. We have a lot to improve.”

There’s no hiding from the fact that this is a huge summer for Manchester United. After a historically poor season, fans expect big changes — not just in terms of transfers, but in the way the team plays and behaves.

The emotional reaction from Rasmus Højlund shows that the hunger is there. But if United are to avoid another disastrous season, the team needs to be on the same page — both mentally and tactically.

And with just a few weeks before the new season kicks off, Amorim has a lot to sort out. The big question now: can he fix United’s broken chemistry before it’s too late?