Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has advised struggling striker Rasmus Hojlund to simplify his game and focus on consistently making runs into the box, in order to get back to his best.
Arguably no United player embodied the club’s disastrous season more than Hojlund. Having managed 16 goals last season, he has come under increased scrutiny this term but has not managed to live up to expectations.
Hojlund has only managed two league goals and hasn’t found the back of the net since 12 December, when he scored against Viktoria Plzen in a Europa League game. He has now gone 20 matches without a goal.
The Dane was dropped for United’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday after starting the last six games. He came on from the bench in the second half and was presented with two clear-cut opportunities, including one where the goal was at his mercy, but he couldn’t hit the target on either occasion.
Unsurprisingly, pressure is mounting on Hojlund but Rooney – who netted 253 times for United – has backed the former Atalanta man to turn things around and start firing once more.
Speaking on Match of the Day 2, Rooney said, “He needs that bit of luck as well, but once he gets a break then more goals will follow. As a striker for Manchester United, when you are not scoring goals there is a lot of pressure and a lot of people questioning if you can do it for United.”
“There was one chance [against Arsenal] where his shot was blocked after he had shown fantastic movement to get to the near post. He goes once, he checks back, goes again, got across Gabriel and got a good contact on his shot, so he had done everything right. It is only a great block that stops the goal.”
“The one that will be highlighted, though, is the one where Rice gets back and tackles him after the ball breaks for him in the area, and that was purely down to a lack of confidence. You see Hojlund take a touch and then he is looking up to see where he wants to put his shot when he doesn’t have the time for that.”
“That’s the kind of scenario where, as a striker, if you are scoring goals you don’t even have to look up…you know where the goal is. That really showed how much he needs a goal.”
Rooney explained that the best thing Hojlund can do is go back to basics and “simplify” his game.
“Making runs into the penalty box is as easy as it comes. Hojlund needs to have that desire to get in the box,” Rooney continued, “He goes to go, then for some reason he stops. If he carries on his run then he is in the right place around about the six-yard box to get a tap-in for the winner when Bruno Fernandes’ shot is saved.”
“When you are short of confidence you have got to make sure you make it into the penalty area and put yourself in a position where you can score. We are still waiting to see Hojlund find his feet for United, but it’s important to point out that the whole team have not been at their best.”
“I feel for him from that point of view because, nine times out of ten, forwards rely on their teammates for service. United have not been playing well or creating enough chances, so he has not been in a team dominating possession, sliding balls in behind the defence or putting balls into the box.”
United now turn their attention to the Europa League. They host Real Sociedad at the last-16 stage on Thursday after last week’s home leg in San Sebastian finished 1-1.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
