Rasmus Hojlund: Manchester United defeat to Arsenal liked to dressing room leak
The report emerged after United’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Man Utd dressing room ‘leak’ makes claim about Rasmus Hojlund after Arsenal defeat
GMT+1
A Manchester United dressing room ‘leak’ has made a claim about the form of striker Rasmus Hojlund, according to a new report.
United lost 1-0 to Arsenal on Sunday in their latest Premier League defeat, and had only two shots on target across the 90 minutes.
Manager Erik ten Hag is currently dealing with a lengthy injury list, which saw all five of his most senior centre-backs unable to start or be involved at all against Arsenal.
Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford were also absent, with United’s bench made up mostly of young players at Old Trafford.
All that contributed to another game without a goal for Hojlund, who has netted once since suffering a muscle injury in February.
Prior to that, the 21-year-old had scored in seven competitive Premier League fixtures – showing the potential that Ten Hag and United saw in him to splash out £72 million to buy him from Atalanta last summer.
But because of injuries and a lack of squad depth, Hojlund has effectively had to start every game for United during a busy period of the season.
And his lack of goals also haven’t been helped by a damning statistic which emerged after the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Hojlund has been on the end of just five chances created by team-mates during the past eight Premier League games, as per Statman Dave, with three of those coming in the 4-2 win over Sheffield United – a game in which the Dane scored.
The Manchester Evening News claim that, according to an unnamed squad member, certain players want to see alternative solutions up front amid a lack of goals in the team in recent weeks.
Anthony Martial is United’s only other natural centre-forward option, but the Frenchman has missed the entirety of 2024 through injury and his contract expires this summer.
Speaking last month, Ten Hag admitted that signing a new striker to compete with Hojlund and ease the workload on the United star will be among his top summer transfer priorities.
He said: “I think it would help. You need more options. You need double positioning in every position.
“Some positions, we didn’t have the choices this season – the striker position, the left-back position – and that has a negative impact on the results.”
Manchester United have put all but four players up for sale this summer as the squad cull begins
Clockwise starting top left, Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford are all being put up for sale by Manchester United
Clockwise starting top left, Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford
It was always going to be a busy summer for Manchester United. The arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos back in February spelled that out clearly.
Ineos have taken over the running of the sporting arm of United, and with results so volatile on the pitch as Erik ten Hag’s side struggle for consistency, the spotlight has fallen not just on the manager, but also the players.
United have a raft of high paid, under-performing stars on their books. Ratcliffe & Co are well aware that major surgery is required to get the Red Devils back challenging at the top of the Premier League, but with the FFP restrictions in place, a massive splurge on several new players this summer is problematic.
To be able to fully revamp the squad – and even then, it will probably take a number of transfer windows – United need to sell as well as buy, and sell big. Cashing in on some of their most saleable assets may be a price they have to pay short term to achieve what they need in the long term.
The Manchester Evening News reported last week that offers for only four players won’t be considered – Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Andre Onana. That leaves every other squad member on the transfer market – including superstars Marcus Rashford and captain Bruno Fernandes. While the offers for those players, and the likes of Lisandro Martinez, would have to be significant, it’s a telling move.
Of course, United have a number of fringe players who supporters would much more readily get rid of, while there are also players approaching the end of their contracts. Then there is the loan posse – Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho, Hannibal and the likes – whose futures remain in doubt.
Who would you want to keep, and who would you sell from the list? Take part in our interactive widget above by swiping right or left on each name to indicate your preference.
Who should stay and who should go? Leave a comment below
Leave a Reply