After finishing as Manchester United’s top scorer in his debut season, expectations were that Rasmus Hojlund would enjoy greater success in his sophomore campaign.
But it has been anything but with the Dane managing only two Premier League goals so far while his goal drought has now crossed 17 games.
But it is not only the lack of goals that is hurting the Red Devils with the former Atalanta ace struggling to complete even the basics.
That was perfectly encapsulated in the 61st minute of United’s game against Ipswich Town last Wednesday. Leny Yoro masterfully pulled off a Cruyff turn on the edge of the box, bamboozling the Ipswich defenders, before putting in a low ball towards the United No 9.
Rasmus struggling big time
Inexplicably, the Denmark international decided to leave the ball hoping for a teammate to be behind him. Any confident striker takes a shot on, especially when the ball is perfectly at their feet.
As United legend Rio Ferdinand rightly pointed out, Hojlund seems more preoccupied with backing into opposition defenders instead of trying to use his smarts and pace to outwit his opponent.
While Ruben Amorim has stopped short of criticising the 22-year-old, reports have indicated that he is fed up with the 22-year-old‘s poor displays on the pitch and is open to moving him on in the summer.
The Daily Mail have claimed that there is some sympathy for Hojlund given the fact that he is having to shoulder most of the responsibility on his own with Joshua Zirkzee not a natural No 9.
The Danish star remains humble in training but coaches can clearly see his confidence is at an all-time low.
No confidence at all
“Hojlund is taking criticism from all angles right now and that is partly why the feeling among some internally at United is one of sympathy for a 22-year-old that should not be shouldering the entire goalscoring burden in the strikers’ room at a club the size of Manchester United.
“Club sources speak of his willingness to learn in training and his attitude having never faltered amid his barren run but others talk of a player that has had confidence smashed to smithereens during this miserable campaign.”
While INEOS remain open to the possibility of moving him on in the summer, there is a growing realisation that not many teams will come forward and offer a large sum given the striker’s current form.
So far, most clubs who are interested in his services are eyeing a cut-price deal, which means the Red Devils will incur a huge loss on their £72 million investment.
Feature image Richard Heathcote 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
