Patience with Rasmus Hojlund is running out at Manchester United, both internally and externally.
The striker has now gone 16 matches without scoring, and with just two Premier League goals to his name since the season began, serious doubts about his ability – and his Old Trafford future – have emerged. Faith in him within the United camp is dwindling rapidly, with one coach offering a 'scathing' assessment of the 22-year-old's performance against Tottenham 10 days ago.
His recent struggles suggest that Roy Keane's initial concerns about him were on the money. Little over a year ago, the former Manchester United skipper, 53, lambasted Hojlund for not being clinical enough and lacking a "real desire" to get on the scoresheet.
"I'd be fuming with him [if I was manager]," Keane insisted after the £72million Denmark international failed to score against League One side Wigan in the FA Cup back in January 2024, squandering several clear-cut chances. "He wasn't clinical... he's missing his chances.
"We can say unlucky, oh dear. [But he has to] create opportunities [for himself], [and] put them in the back of the net. Stop messing about!"
A few days later, the Irishman tore into Hojlund again. "He's been allowed some time now to bed himself into the club, into English football, but now we're talking about Man United. You have to have that real desire to score goals.
"These players just don't have the desire to score, and he [Hojlund] has not shown it. There have been players that have come to Man United and we've spoken about how 'unlucky' they are, but you can't keep waiting."
Hojlund reacted to Keane's criticism in the best possible way, scoring seven goals in his next six games. However, his struggles in the 12 months since have largely undone the momentum he built during that purple patch.
Shortly after arriving, Ruben Amorim insisted Hojlund was an important cog in his side, but urged the striker to improve his efficiency in possession. "I think he has to improve more because sometimes he gives too many touches when he holds the ball," the United head coach said in November.
"It's very important for us because when we are in a low block he is the guy to hold the ball and connect for transitions. He did that very well, he has those characteristics. He is aggressive in the box, he is a quality player... [but] he has a lot to improve."
Hojlund joined United from Atalanta in 2023 in a deal worth an initial £64m, which could rise to a whopping £72m with add-ons. He arrived with just 18 league goals under his belt, a tally that he's since increased to 30.
Continued interest in forwards like Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen, Liam Delap and Jonathan David suggests the Red Devils are already planning for a future without Hojlund, who has failed to justify his price-tag, while summer recruit Joshua Zirkzee has hardly helped lift the burden in front of goal either.
The Dane potentially only has a few months left to prove himself at Old Trafford – but based on recent evidence, a turnaround seems unlikely.
Nonaprsu
7
he is the most overrated young player,doesn't have a good ball control cannot be a good striker,he should play in a non league side