Photo credit: www.bbc.com
Challenges Ahead for United as Hojlund Searches for Form
During a recent match where Manchester United managed only two shots on target, 22-year-old striker Rasmus Hojlund came close to making an impact. He narrowly missed connecting with a low cross from Alejandro Garnacho at the far post, and had he made contact, it likely would have resulted in a goal from less than a yard away.
Overall, Hojlund displayed his usual tenacity and physicality on the pitch, but the urgency remains palpable—he needs to score to regain his confidence and effectiveness. Historical analysis suggests that apart from a brief period during his manager’s tenure where he netted five goals in four matches and another stretch of eight goals in eight matches, there have been significant doubts about Hojlund’s ability to lead front lines in a high-pressure Premier League environment.
When comparing his performance to elite forwards like Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, and Bukayo Saka, Hojlund’s capabilities seem to fall short. Notably, even Chris Wood’s performances this season appear more impactful than Hojlund’s efforts.
Coach Amorim finds himself in a position where he must remain supportive without revealing any frustrations. He has pledged to continue developing Hojlund, making clear that excluding him from starting positions is not an option. “The only way I know is to work on him and show him the videos,” he noted, addressing the necessity for Hojlund to score without further marginalizing him from the team dynamics.
Amorim also highlighted that the struggles in scoring are not solely Hojlund’s burden; the entire team shares in the responsibility. Manchester United’s current record shows that only Everton and West Ham have scored fewer goals than United’s tally of 38 this season.
“It’s not just Rasmus missing chances. We have several players that miss big opportunities,” he said in defense of his striker. “While it’s crucial for Rasmus to score, it’s a collective issue that needs addressing.”
United is experiencing a dismal run at home, having lost eight Premier League matches this season—marking the most defeats at Old Trafford since the 1962-63 season. With two remaining games against West Ham and Aston Villa, they face the possibility of matching this record.
The club’s overall performance has reached a critical juncture, recording a staggering 15 league losses—an all-time high in the Premier League era. Among the few positives emerging from recent outings, the emergence of Tyler Fredricson, a 20-year-old center-back, and the promising display from 18-year-old wing-back Harry Amass stand out. Both players have raised questions about their earlier exclusion from the squad.
As the Europa League campaign looms, Amorim’s focus must shift to advancing through the semi-finals against Athletic Bilbao and potentially facing Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt. This challenge could provide a much-needed respite from the struggles faced in domestic matches.
In addressing the supporters, Amorim candidly acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, emphasizing the necessity for improvement: “We tell the fans the truth that we lack a lot of things in our team, that we miss chances, and if we don’t score goals we are not going to win. There’s still a lot of work to be done.” He called for patience and persistence in the team’s efforts to improve.
Amorim’s task is made even more difficult considering the contrasting success of rival clubs, particularly Wolves, who have revitalized under manager Vitor Pereira. Pereira highlighted building connections with players and fostering trust as cornerstones of his approach in turning the club’s fortunes around.
Ultimately, the success of United hinges on their ability to convert opportunities into goals. Without finding a solution to their scoring woes, the road ahead remains steep and filled with challenges.
Source
www.bbc.com