Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has insisted that Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are not to blame for the team’s goalscoring woes as he admitted that the onus is on the rest of the squad to create chances for them.
Hojlund and Zirkzee have been far from convincing this season, with neither player showing they can be relied upon to lead the line for United.
Against Fulham on Sunday, Hojlund started and was undoubtedly the worst player on the pitch as the Red Devils cruised to a 1-0 victory.
Zirkzee came on in the second half but wasn’t a significant improvement on the Denmark international.
Between them, they have five league goals in 41 combined games. Hojlund hasn’t found the back of the net in his last 14 top-flight appearances while Zirkee’s brace against Everton on December 1 remains his only goalscoring appearance in the competition since a fairytale debut back in August.
According to Martinez – who scored United’s only goal at Craven Cottage – the two strikers are not to blame.
Martinez however admitted that the pair need to do a lot better than they currently are.
The Argentine told reporters [via 90min], “Absolutely, we take the responsibility. I think we played many long balls to [Hojlund and Zirkzee], and for sure it’s tough for them, especially because they fight against two centre-backs.”
“The centre-backs here in the Premier League are really difficult.”
“[Hojlund and Zirkzee] have to do better as well. They are really good players, but I think we have to continue [to do] more, and put them in better spaces on the pitch.”
The World Cup winner added, “We have to find them in the right places, dangerous places, to make them score.”
United are believed to be keen on signing a new striker, most likely during the summer transfer window.
Some of the players linked to the Red Devils include Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres and Liam Delap.
Featured image Clive Rose 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!
