Video: 1 goal, 1 key pass: United loanee plays decisive role in massive win as race for Europe heats up

Manchester United had numerous players in loan action on Saturday across various European leagues. To find out where all of United’s loanees are plying their trade this season, click here. Rasmus Hojlund Hojlund scored a vital goal as SSC Napoli beat Lecce 2-1. Just after half-time, the Dane showed excellent striker’s instinct by turning a low cross into the net to bring his side level. He had another shot in the game and failed with his only other dribble attempt. Hojlund made one key pass and carried the ball forward six times in the match. Rasmus Hojlund stats vs Lecce StatValue Goals1 Expected goals (xG)0.68 Assists0 Expected assists (xA)0.02 Total shots2 Expected goals on target (xGOT)0.97 Shots on target1 Shots blocked0 Touches25 Unsuccessful touches4 Dribbles (successful)1 (0) Was fouled1 Possession lost10 Total carrying distance74.7 m Carries6 Progressive carries4 Total progression28.7 m Progressive carrying distance60.4 m Longest progressive carry12.9 m Key passes1 Crosses (accurate)0 (0) Accurate passes10/14 (71%) Passes in opposition half (acc.)5/9 (56%) Passes in own half (acc.)5/5 (100%) Long balls (accurate)1/1 (100%) Def. contributions1 Tackles (won)0 (0) Interceptions0 Clearances1 Blocked shots0 Recoveries1 Ground duels (won)4 (1) Aerial duels (won)5 (3) Dribbled past1 Andre Onana Onana kept a clean sheet as his Trabzonspor beat Rizespor 1-0. He made three saves from inside the box but did make one error which led to an attempt on goal. His passing was also a bit weaker than usual, as he only connected with 66% of his passes. Radek Vitek The Czech keeper impressed as he helped his Bristol City side to a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough. He made a total of six saves, with four of them coming from shots inside the penalty area. Vitek also made three clearances and nine recoveries in the match. Ethan Ennis Ennis played 90 minutes as Fleetwood Town drew 0-0 with Tranmere Rovers. He completed two crosses and 76% of his passing attempts. The winger had a frustrating afternoon as he could not complete a dribble attempt, but did win 100% of his tackles. He also won four out of his six duels as he was impressive defensively. Ethan Wheatley Wheatley managed just 45 minutes before he was substituted off in Bradford City’s 0-2 defeat to Wigan Athletic. He had one shot on target but did not complete any of his dribble attempts. Wheatley was very poor on the ball, making just 18% of his pass attempts. He was better defensively, winning both his tackle attempts. Ethan Williams played the final 15 minutes of Falkirk’s 1-1 draw with Aberdeen, while Gabriele Biancheri played the last nine minutes of Rotherham United’s 2-2 draw with Bolton Wanderers. Featured image Francesco Pecoraro via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.